National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Frenkie de Jong started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Albert Boutabout showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Heiko Sibon in the 3rd minute of the match. With a little luck, Netherlands's Tadej Pogačar got control of the ball when Nassim Horr tried to sneak it across the goal line. Albert Boutabout showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Frenkie de Jong in the 9th minute of the match. 10 minutes into the game, Frenkie de Jong cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Albert Boutabout was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mohammad Laref in the 16th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tadej Pogačar prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Nassim Horrs short, quick shot in the 17thth minute got Tadej Pogačar to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Netherlands's Tadej Pogačar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mohammad Laref in the 23rd minute of play. Frenkie de Jong might have been able to make a better finish in the 26th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Albert Boutabout. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Frenkie de Jong ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 31st minute, Frenkie de Jong made a precise shot to the right of Albert Boutabout. MZ Country's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-3. In the 34th minute, MZ Country's Mohammad Laref ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Tadej Pogačar. Tadej Pogačar yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-3. Albert Boutabout made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Frenkie de Jong in the 40th minute of play. In the 42nd minute Heiko Sibon shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Albert Boutabout saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Netherlands's Tadej Pogačar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mohammad Laref in the 44th minute of play. In the 48th minute there was a penalty for Netherlands. Frenkie de Jong stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Albert Boutabout. 1-4. After the first half Netherlands were leading 1-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Mohammad Laref to make the kick off. The supporters of Netherlands booed when MZ Country was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nassim Horr didn't get a good kick on the ball. Netherlands's Tadej Pogačar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mohammad Laref in the 54th minute of play. Frenkie de Jong scored 1-5 in the 55th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Albert Boutabout, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 58 minutes into the match, Frenkie de Jong dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Albert Boutabout, 1-6. When Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong in the 67th minute got a chance for a shot 67th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye MZ Country's goalie prevented a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Heiko Sibon in the 71st minute of play forced MZ Country's goalkeeper Albert Boutabout to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 72nd minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. MZ Country's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Marick Brunt ran over to the corner to take the kick. In the 74th minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. MZ Country's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Marick Brunt ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on Netherlands's corner Marick Brunt fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Albert Boutabout quite easily take care of the ball. Albert Boutabout showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Heiko Sibon, who was totally free with the ball in the 79th minute. Netherlands were awarded a corner in the 80th minute after MZ Country's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Marick Brunt took the corner. After having played for 88 minutes, Frenkie de Jong managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Frenkie de Jong was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 89 minutes into the game, Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Albert Boutabout made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-7. 93 minutes into the match, Frenkie de Jong had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Albert Boutabout. MZ Country's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Frenkie de Jong was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-8. Netherlands made a substitution. Arnold Baaijen replaced Sebastiaan Ooijer. Netherlands's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.