As we went beyond the half-way stage of Group A we had a fixture to look forward to in the shape of Team Koopman versus Paralytic Athletic. Team Koopman had been competitive but had no points to show for their efforts – losing by the odd goal to Wizards of WhatsApp and 4-2 to the league leaders. Paralyic Athletic had thumped Indonesia FC 6-1 and then narrowly lost to Real BUILDers.

Paralytic Athletic were currently in a 3-team tie for second place but a win here would put them joint top of the table. They started off on the right course for that result as they opened up a 3-1 lead at the end of the first-half. Jack Estcourt got the ball rolling for them with his first of the day before a Jack Veness double put them in control.

Team Koopman were not totally out of it though as Galied kept them in striking distance at 3-1. However, no team had come from behind to win a game in Group A so far and therefore the odds were stacked against Team Koopman overturning the deficit. In the end, it was a goal each for the two teams in the second half with Lenny Kroes on target for Team Koopman and James Moysey scoring for Paralytic Athletic.

The victory put Paralytic Athletic top of Group A (temporarily at least). It was a huge blow for Team Koopman who would remain in 5th place.

Next up was Real BUILDers versus Indonesia FC. Real BUILDers had just seen Paralytic Athletic move level with them but they could open up a 3 point lead with victory against their Dutch opponents here. Indonesia FC came into the game on a high having just recorded their first win but Real BUILDers would represent a tougher challenge than their previous outing.

Indonesia FC continued their form from their game against Wizards of WhatsApp into the first half here as they held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw at half-time. Their #38, Daniel Gomez, scoring his first of the day at a very opportune moment. Sean Richardson's goal meant that Real BUILDers had the platform to launch a second half assault.

Real BUILDers moved through the gears in the second half as they eased away from their opponents. A brace for Joel Hanley and a goal each for Adam Ryzner and Darren Sooprayen meant that the English team would be celebrating their third win on the bounce and they were surely through to the Cup competition.

Indonesia FC's MarkHann scored for the third game in a row but it was only to be a consolation for his team. Final score, 5-2.

It was second versus third position in Group A next as Paralytic Athletic would play host to Wizards of WhatsApp. Wizards of WhatsApp could go joint second with a win and still hold a game in hand over their opponents. For Paralyitc Athletic this was the last chance to register points and make their case for Cup qualification. If they avoided defeat they would have a great chance of qualifying. A win would put them joint top and a chance of topping the group – it would also guarantee a place in the Cup.

Wizards of WhatsApp came into the game having won one and then lost one with 8 goals scored and 8 goals against. Paralytic Athletic had 2 wins and a defeat with 11 goals scored and 5 against. Our imaginary bookmakers would no doubt have Paralytic Athletic as favourites for this game and they didn't disappoint.

As they had done in the previous game, Paralytic Athletic established a 3-1 lead at half-time. Against Team Koopman they consolidated that lead with a 4-2 win by full-time. Here they consolidated that lead with a 5-3 win by full-time that guaranteed their qualification from Group A in a minimum of second place. Paralytic Athletic shared the goals around with Jack Estcourt (2), Nanda McCarthy, Edward Sharp and Philip Robinson all finding the back of the net.

For Wizards of WhatsApp it was a second defeat in a row. They were free-scoring going forward with Charlie Barth, Francis Plunkett and Bas on target but keeping the goals out seemed to be their Achilles heel.

Game 9 was certainly going to be an interesting one as Team Koopman lined up against Indonesia FC. A win for Team Koopman would make it a three-team tie in third place on three points. Depending upon goal difference in the final couple of fixtures they could still finish in third place but a haul of three points would not be enough to secure a place in the Cup.

For Indonesia FC, a win would put them in sole occupancy of third position and on 6 points this would give them a good opportunity to qualify for the Cup as one of the two best third-placed finishers. A draw would see Team Koopman finish 5th and Indonesia FC a possibility of third but naturally their chances greatly reduced compared to a win.

It was Team Koopman who took the early lead as Brian Boere gave them a 1-0 lead in a tight and even contest. The goal may well prove to be a catalyst for better things for the Dutch team as it seemed to spark them into life. From 1-0 they seemed to ride a wave of confidence as further goals from Michel Kroes and Lenny Kroes (2) meant they earned a 4-1 win.

For Indonesia FC it was a crushing blow. Their chances of reaching the Cup were killed off. They actually saw Team Koopman move above them on goal difference. They now had the lunch break to re-group ready for the knock-out phase.

The final game had huge importance at the top of Group A. For Real BUILDers they needed just a point to win the group and a win would see them win it with a 100% record. For Wizards of WhatsApp there was still a chance of qualifying for the Cup – they had to win this game to finish in third position and 6 points would see them through. A draw would also be enough as their goal difference of -2 would be better than Dick Farts FC (Group B) who had 4 points and were on -3 goal difference.

At half-time it looked like Real BUILDers were the ones who would be meeting their objectives as they lead 2-1. Wizards of WhatsApp should remain positive though as just 1 unanswered goal would see them grab the vital point they needed. Real BUILDers made that task more difficult when they went 3-1 up in the second half. 3-1 became 4-1 and then 5-1 as Wizard of WhatsApp's hope disappeared over the horizon.

On a personal level the game would be memorable for Sean Richardson who bagged a hat-trick and was his team's top scorer with 6 goals. James Pomeroy scored twice to take his tally to 3 for the day. For the record, Wizards of WhatsApp's scorer was #24.

The result meant that Real BUILDers added the 2016 Amsterdam Fives Group A win to the Group B win they had at the 2016 Lisbon Tournament. It was now 2 group campaigns unbeaten in a total of 9 games – a very impressive record.