League

The Phoenix Nest
Spectators: 7491 (Terracing: 5619, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 149) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Dolf de Bruin got the match started through his kick off. Dirk-Jan Hofman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dolf de Bruin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kristof Henselmans hit a great freekick 4 minutes into the match. Dirk-Jan Hofman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dolf de Bruin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Franck Boschker in the 11th minute of play forced FC Phoenix's goalkeeper Dirk-Jan Hofman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Phoenix's goalkeeper Dirk-Jan Hofman, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Maurits Wilmink sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Dirk-Jan Hofman made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Franck Boschker in the 26th minute of play. Maurits Wilmink recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 27th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 1-0 became the score in the 29th minute when Giel Houwing elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. Giel Houwing could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Japke Opdam made a huge save. After some fancy dribbling in the 38th minute, Giel Houwing managed to get in a good position for a shot. FC Phoenix's supporters rose to their feet, but Giel Houwing was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Japke Opdam breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Franck Boschker sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dirk-Jan Hofman didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Dolf de Bruin went, in the 42nd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Dirk-Jan Hofman made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dolf de Bruin in the 46th minute of play. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Maurits Wilmink was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Giel Houwing in the 54th minute of play forced Queen Eertje United's goalkeeper Japke Opdam to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Franck Boschker received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Dirk-Jan Hofman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Dolf de Bruin in the 59th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dirk-Jan Hofman saved FC Phoenix from getting behind. Giel Houwing sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience thought a goal was coming when Franck Boschker got free with Dirk-Jan Hofman in the 69th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Dolf de Bruin fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 78th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dirk-Jan Hofman having to interfere. Kees van der Woude hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. The supporters of FC Phoenix booed when Queen Eertje United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Diderik Abbekerk didn't get a good kick on the ball. 94 minutes into the match, Queen Eertje United's goal looked a bit too open when Giel Houwing came free, but Japke Opdam reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Queen Eertje United eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.