MATCH 54
SYNDICALIST AMERICAN STATES VS DUTCH REPUBLIC
STEIGERWALDSTADION, ERFURT
LINEUPS:
SYNDICALIST AMERICAN STATES
1. Talal Ali SILO
2. Emil ANDERSSON
3. Hamilton Efigenio DA SOUZA
4. Gaël GERMANY
44. Len MCCLUSKEY
6. Hans APEL
15. Vincent ST. JOHN
10. Mukul DRISTI
11. Nguyen SINH CUNG
9. Carl LEIGEN
13. Loïc GERMANY
DUTCH REPUBLIC
1. Gerhard LEHMANN
2. Marcel VIERA da Silva
5. Edwin DE BOER
18. Christian BINOT
3. Milan FÜLLER
8. Leendert SNIJER ©
4. Leonardo DO NASCIMENTO
10. Simon CRUIJF
11. ROMARINHO de Souza Faria
9. Paulo TAFFAREL
21. Karel WINTERINK
19:30
Good morning, or indeed good evening as it still is here in Erfurt. My name is Cuthbert Chin and I'm with Zhao Lee and Gao Ruyin to bring you coverage of what is shaping up to be a very exciting match between the SAS and the Dutch Republic to decide who plays the Great Lakes Republic in the quarter-finals. With both teams rated so highly, neither would have wanted to draw the other, especially this early on in the competition, but the nature of the knockouts means that one of them will be going home tonight. The SAS in particular were many people's pick to win the tournament coming into it but Zhao, how much has this changed during the groups?
Well the SAS haven't look fazed so far in the tournament. Their performances have been good, their morale is good. Facing the Dutch so early isn't what they wanted, but you have to beat good teams to win the World Cup, so there is no reason to suddenly doubt them. What may let them down is their defence. In all three group matches they've conceded exactly one goal, whether it be against strong teams like Asturias or plucky minnows Shannon. If their defence can't stay on it for 90 minutes, it could be their downfall and the Dutch Republic are certainly capable of capitalising on such mistakes. And while Thompson is still injured, Vincent St. John has really come alive, to the point where even if Thompson does recover by the end of the tournament, he might have a hard time getting back into the starting lineup.
Gao, the Dutch certainly wouldn't have expected to go into their Round of 16 match as the underdog, but can they pull the upset here?
As Zhao said, the Dutch area a capable team that can capitalise on any mistakes the SAS make so you can't rule them out here but they have been making mistakes of their own, even more so than the SAS. We talked before about how unlucky they were to be drawn against us because we could challenge for the top of the group, but in the end they only narrowly managed second, requiring a last minute goal to hold the Caribbean to a draw. That sort of performance isn't indicative of a team that can threaten the SAS. They'll need to tap into their pre-tournament form if they want to win.
19:53
The players are on the pitch. Zhao, Gao, it's time to make your predictions.
The SAS have this for me. 2-1 I think.
I agree the SAS will win. 2-1 or 3-1.
I think the Dutch may be able to cling on to extra time, but the SAS will clinch this by one goal. Your commentators for this match are Steve Sanderson and Mike Wong.
19:57
The Dutch Republic have won the coin toss and will kick off.
00:00
Winterink kicks off to Romarinho.
02:57
Snijer plays the ball on to Romarinho. Romarinho dribbles wide past Dristi and with a piece of skill rounds McCluskey too and continues to run to the end of the pitch. He then has to wait a few seconds for his teammates to catch up, having to dribble around McCluskey again in the process before crossing the ball into the box, onto the head of Taffarel who sends the ball just wide, much to the relief of Talal Ali Silo.
07:33
Da Souza tackles Taffarel and passes wide to Andersson. Andersson runs forward before knocking it onto Apel, who quickly squares to St. John. St. John continues the run forward beyond do Nascimento and plays wide to Dristi who passes up to Germany. Germany dribbles down the wing, but is tackled by Viera and the ball goes out for a throw in. Germany quickly throws in to Dristi, who makes a curling pass up to St. John, who heads the ball into the box for Leigen, but Leigen cannot properly connect and the shot goes wide.
11:28
Gaël Germany passes to Dristi. Dristi dribbles the ball out wide past Snijer and passes up to Loïc Germany. Germany is blocked by Viera, so instead cuts inside and shoots from the edge of the box - and scores! Lehmann has no response as the ball sails in to the top corner! The SAS take an early lead!
11:48
GOAL
13 - Loïc GERMANY
15:17
de Boer makes a long pass up to do Nascimento. do Nascimento dribbles up the middle of the pitch and knocks it to Romarinho just before da Souza can tackle him. Romarinho plays the ball through to Taffarel who is clear on goal and shoots, but Silo is able to stop the ball and hold it.
19:39
Dristi passes to St. John. St. John knocks it to Apel. Apel dribbles forward, beyond Winterink and attempts to get past Cruijf, by he is tripped by the Dutchman. The referee gives a foul and awards the first yellow card of the match.
19:55
YELLOW CARD
10 - Simon CRUIJF
25:08
Silo makes a long clearance. Da Souza heads the loose ball onto St. John who quickly passes it wide to Apel. Apel dribbles the ball past Cruijf, but before reaching Fuller, passes to Sinh Cung who sprints into the box and shoots but the ball deflects off Binot and Germany sends the deflection over the bar.
29:37
Snijer centres the ball to do Nascimento, whose long pass finds Taffarel on the edge of the box. Taffarel is unable to get past the SAS defenders, so passes to Winterink who knocks it back to Cruijf. Cruijf hesitates and is almost tackled by Apel, but is instead able to curl in a cross onto the head of Taffarel, but Silo easily catches the ball.
34:58
Fuller passes to Snijer, who runs forward, nutmegs Dristi and continues on his run before knocking square to do Nascimento who plays to Winterink on the wing. Winterink dribbles beyond McCluskey and crosses in. Silo gets a glove to it and punches the ball out, but do Nascimento collects the loose ball and passes to Taffarel, who shoots - straight past Silo and into the net! The Dutch Republic are right back into this with that!
35:29
GOAL
9 - Paulo TAFFAREL
39:21
Germany passes wide to McCluskey. McCluskey dribbles forward and passes onto St. John who himself dribbles forward and performs a one-two with Dristi to round do Nascimento. St. John continues his run forward and chips the defender to find Leigen in the box who shoots into the back of the net, but the celebrations are short lived as the linesman has his flag up. The replays confirm Leigen was slightly offside. This is a bitter sting, especially as the striker is still yet to score at the World Cup.
43:49
Viera squares the ball to de Boer, who passes to do Nascimento. Do Nascimento makes a long ball that finds Romarinho who dribbles wide, pauses for a moment to allow his teammates to enter the box before sending in a cross. Taffarel launches a rocket of a volley straight at Silo, who is able to parry it and da Souza is able to clear the ball.
45:00 + 0:01
The fourth official signals 2 minutes of stoppage time will be played.
45:00 + 2:04
The referee blows the half-time whistle with the score 1-1.
45:00
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 6 - Hans APEL
ON: 27 - Ethem NEJAT
45:00
Germany kicks off to Sinh Cung to resume the match.
46:18
Dristi tackles Snijer and squares the ball to St. John. St. John advances forward and passes to Germany who takes three touches before playing it to Leigen inside the box. Leigen has to take a few touches to control the ball and move into a better position, but ultimately shoots over the crossbar and into the stands.
49:43
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 9 - Carl LEIGEN
ON: 91 - Viriato DA CRUZ
54:18
Andersson passes to Nejat. Nejat dribbles up and passes to Sinh Cung, who knocks it straight back to St. John. St. John picks out Germany on the opposite wing with a long pass and Germany crosses the ball in, but da Cruz was caught off-guard and was only able to make a weak header that Fuller was easily able to clear.
59:34
Nejat plays a long ball to Dristi on the opposite wing. Dristi gets past Snijer and passes onto Germany who attempts a cross, but Viera gets a foot to it and sends the ball out for a corner kick. Dristi lines up and takes the kick deep into the box, but it's Binot's head that finds the ball and directs it into his own net! And while the SAS players celebrate with Nejat who they believe headed it in, the real goalscorer is lying on the ground, wishing it would open up and swallow him whole.
60:06
OWN GOAL
18 - Christian BINOT
64:14
De Boer passes to do Nascimento, but Germany intercepts the pass and quickly knocks it to da Cruz. da Cruz easily gets past Binot and plays a through ball to find Sinh Cung, who takes a couple of touches to move towards the centre of the box before launching a shot that Lehmann is just able to push against the post and out, with de Boer clearing the rebound for a throw in.
67:29
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 18 - Christian BINOT
ON: 19 - Jan WEVER
69:22
Snijer plays back to do Nascimento, who knocks it to Cruijf. Nejat charges at Cruijf, who tries to pass back but Nejat gets a foot to it, sending the ball loose. Viera is the first to it, but Germany comes sliding in and collects him without getting the ball, sending him hard to the ground. The referee instantly produces a yellow card without waiting for Germany to even get back up. Viera stands up after twenty seconds on the ground and is able to play on.
69:31
YELLOW CARD
13 - Loïc GERMANY
71:14
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 11 - ROMARINHO de Souza Faria
ON: 23 - IJsbrand ORSEL
73:58
Do Nascimento plays a long ball to Wever. Wever sprints forward and dummies a pass to Winterink, but instead opts to pass to Orsel instead. Orsel dribbles straight through the SAS defence and makes a grounded cross to Taffarel, who shoots the ball off the post. Cruijf collects the loose ball and sends a curling ball back into the box, but Silo beats out Orsel in the air and claims the ball for himself.
76:36
McCluskey passes back to da Souza who forwards the ball to Andersson. Andersson passes to Nejat who dribbles a short distance before passing to St. John in the centre. St. John continues the run forward, dribbling free in the middle of the pitch before picking out a pass to da Cruz who threads the needle between Fuller and de Boer to get into the box and attempts to chip Lehmann, but ultimately puts the ball on top of the goal.
80:29
Wever attempts to dribble around Gaël Germany, but the SAS player takes the ball from his feet and passes forward to St. John, who runs forward with it, rounding do Nascimento before passing to da Cruz. da Cruz is pushed wide by de Boer and Fuller moves in from the wing to try and pincer him, but da Cruz backheels the ball to Sinh Cung who sends it straight into the top corner of the goal. 3-1 and with less than ten minutes on the clock, the Dutch Republic's fate is all but sealed!
81:04
GOAL
11 - Nguyen SINH CUNG
84:57
da Souza passes wide to Nejat who effortlessly rounds Cruijf and passes up to da Cruz. da Cruz knocks it back to Dristi on the other wing who dribbles further down and passes to Germany. Germany contemplates his options for a second before launching a shot from 25 yards out that rattles the crossbar and bounces back into the box, with de Boer heading the deflection out for a corner. Dristi plays the corner in and do Nascimento heads it away to Wever who dribbles the ball clear of danger.
86:13
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 10 - Simon CRUIJF
ON: 14 - Patrick SNUIVERT
87:11
SUBSTITUTION
OFF: 2 - Emil ANDERSSON
ON: 18 - Jens SPAHN
89:59
The fourth official signals 4 minutes will be added onto the match. 4 minutes for the Dutch Republic to find the miracle to save their World Cup.
90:00 + 2:12
Fuller passes to do Nascimento who links the ball to Snuivert. Snuivert outruns Nejat and passes to Winterink, who passes back to Wever. Wever knocks it to Orsel who enters the box and tries to shoot, but it deflects off Germany and falls to Taffarel, whose shot is parried by Silo and Snuivert sends the rebound wide of the mark and finally out of touch. The Dutch will be lucky to get another chance like that, let alone two in the dying moments.
90:00 + 4:11
The referee blows the full time whistle. A comfortable victory for the SAS in the end who progress to face the GLR in the quarter-finals, but it's the end of the line for the Dutch Republic who now face the rather short journey home. The final score: SAS 3 - 1 Dutch Republic.
22:15
I hope you can join us again tomorrow for the final quarter-final matches, with Hoenn vs. Greater Norway kicking off at midnight, then Canton play Asturias for the final quarter-final place at 4AM. I hope you can join us then, but for now it's goodbye from all of us at CBC Sport.