Netherlands (5) v (7) France
IN A PHYSICAL contest between the two western European countries, France has edged out the Netherlands 7-5 in the City Cup semi-final
Netherlands (5) v (7) France
By Sebastian James
IN A PHYSICAL contest between the two western European countries, France has edged out the Netherlands 7-5 in the City Cup semi-final.
From the outset the match was fought out in an aggressive manner, with neither team taking a step back in their challenges.
The Netherlands started off brightly, scoring the first goal of the match after an enterprising run and shot found the net.
Only a foot inside the goal area prevented the Dutch from going a goal further ahead two minutes later.
From the restart France went forward, and from a well measured ball from Genadijus Kasenkovas through to Abossey Adotevf, the Frenchman finished with a nicely placed shot.
The French were then able to score two goals on the trot, both coming from Hardy Bangura. His first came from a powerful shot that left the goalkeeper with no chance and the second from a well placed pass into the bottom corner of the goal.
Giovanni Kortstam then showed some quick feet to score not one but two goals that required him to beat one defender and then the keeper.
After the scores were locked at three goals each at half time, the match's intensity increased in the second half, with tackles flying in from both teams and the referee having a word to both teams to calm them down.
After three minutes of the second half the French started to stake their claim on the match. Two goals from Pierr Boo gave them a buffer that seemed to cause confusion in the Netherlands side.
While the Dutch were then able to score two of their own to equalise, the French didn't let up in their efforts and scored the final two goals of the match through Karim Kamkuum. His last showed some great skill to side step a defender and then shoot between the goalkeeper’s legs.
The win sets up a mouth-watering encounter in Sunday’s City Cup final with Zimbabwe, who had beaten Lithuania in the earlier semi.
Photo: Photoworx