League

Patricia Khadija
Spectators: 7984 (Terracing: 5989, Seating: 1836, VIP seats: 159) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Antoon Weerd made the kick off which started today's match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Antoon Weerd in the 7th minute of play forced SAFA United's goalkeeper Jan Israel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Guus Schophuis hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Straat's zone, Ronald Hofman stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Huib Prins came out of the goal and Ronald Hofman tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. SAFA United's Jan Israel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mickael Velez in the 14th minute of play. Ronald Hofman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jan Israel showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Antoon Weerd, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. Antoon Weerd fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jan Israel having to interfere. If Antoon Weerd had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jan Israel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Antoon Weerd in the 25th minute of the match. 27 minutes into the match, SAFA United's goal looked a bit too open when Mickael Velez came free, but Jan Israel reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Huib Prins made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronald Hofman in the 29th minute of play. Jan Israel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mickael Velez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Antoon Weerd in the 34th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jan Israel saved SAFA United from getting behind. After 34 played minutes SAFA United got a freekick which was hit by Guus Schophuis. With his leg Huib Prins managed to avoid a goal in the 38thth minute, when SAFA United's Ronald Hofman fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. If Antoon Weerd had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 41 minutes in the game Tonny de Swart did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Antoon Weerd. In the 43rd minute, Antoon Weerd got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 44th match minute, SAFA United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Willem Daniels to maneuver through the defense. If Guus Schophuis had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ronald Hofman to strike the kick off in the second half. SAFA United's attentive Guus Schophuis managed to snatch the ball when Jan Wortelboer made a throw-in in the 53rd minute of the game. Huib Prins stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ronald Hofman's shot from short distance in the 54th minute. 57 minutes into the match, SAFA United's goal looked a bit too open when Antoon Weerd came free, but Jan Israel reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Straat getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Tonny de Swart hit a great ball. If Ronald Hofman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Benjamin Blommaart during the 62nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Benjamin Blommaart hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. Mickael Velez sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 71 minutes, Guus Schophuis mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the SAFA United and the Straat players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 71 played minutes SAFA United got a freekick which was hit by Guus Schophuis. The supporters of Straat booed when SAFA United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Guus Schophuis didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Antoon Weerd had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 81 minutes into the match, Willem Daniels had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Huib Prins. Straat's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Willem Daniels was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. The audience thought a goal was coming when Mickael Velez got free with Jan Israel in the 95th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Willem Daniels's late challenge caught a Straat's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Willem Daniels helped the player get up and apologised. SAFA United's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.