National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) After a rather tough play, Ukraine's Matviy Kozoriz got a free kick in the 4th minute. The audience was convinced that Roman Sulimko's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kurts Bode was relentless in the 6th minute of the game. Kurts Bode showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Matviy Kozoriz in the 9th minute of the match. In the 12th minute, Matviy Kozoriz left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ukraine fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. With a little luck, Ukraine's Leonid Kostenko got control of the ball when Hugo Zmilusēvičs tried to sneak it across the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Roman Sulimko in the 18th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kurts Bode prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Ukraine were awarded a corner in the 19th minute after Latvia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Stepan Gudyma took the corner. Hugo Zmilusēvičs could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Leonid Kostenko made a huge save. In the 22nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Ukraine's goalkeeper Leonid Kostenko, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Kurts Bode took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lyubomyr Lysytsjkyi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 25th minute, Latvia's Valts Polārists ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Leonid Kostenko. Leonid Kostenko yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. Leonid Kostenko made an important save on a dangerous shot by Valts Polārists in the 28th minute. Leonid Kostenko showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Hugo Zmilusēvičs, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roman Sulimko in the 35th minute of play forced Latvia's goalkeeper Kurts Bode to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Valts Polārists's late challenge caught a Ukraine's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Valts Polārists helped the player get up and apologised. In the 40th minute, Valts Polārists hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 42 minutes, Roman Sulimko made it 1-2 with a short kick to the right side. Latvia's Kurts Bode tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Roman Sulimko took the ball and in the 46 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Kurts Bode. Kurts Bode dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. After the first half Ukraine were leading 1-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Hugo Zmilusēvičs to strike the kick off in the second half. When Ukraine's Roman Sulimko in the 51st minute got a chance for a shot 51st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Latvia's goalie prevented a goal. After 53 minutes Latvia's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Stepan Gudyma who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Ukraine's corner Stepan Gudyma fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Kurts Bode quite easily take care of the ball. Valts Polārists recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 54th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Lyubomyr Lysytsjkyi's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Kurts Bode firmly grabbed it by the left post. In the 57th minute, Helmuts Krolcs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 58 played minutes Latvia got a freekick which was hit by Vilmārs Everts. After a defensive mix-up in Latvia's zone, Stepan Gudyma stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kurts Bode came out of the goal and Stepan Gudyma tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Latvia's Gundars Peisatijs was substituted for Valts Polārists. Latvia's Sandis Freiborns was substituted for Hugo Zmilusēvičs. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gundars Peisatijs in the 67th minute of play forced Ukraine's goalkeeper Leonid Kostenko to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lyubomyr Lysytsjkyi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 69 minutes into the match, Latvia's goal looked a bit too open when Roman Sulimko came free, but Kurts Bode reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Ukraine's Lyubomyr Lysytsjkyi got a free kick in the 79th minute. Kurts Bode showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roman Sulimko, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. Roman Sulimko's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 82ndth minute, Kurts Bode skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Ukraine were awarded a corner in the 83th minute after Latvia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Stepan Gudyma took the corner. A collision led to Latvia getting a freekick after 86 minutes play. Jēkabs Stiprais hit a great ball. Matviy Kozoriz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sandis Freiborns in the 94th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Leonid Kostenko prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Kurts Bode showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Roman Sulimko in the 95th minute of the match. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Ukraine eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.