Challenge

National Stadium
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Oliverios Ribeiro got the match started through his kick off. Vassilis Argyrakis stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Nedko Tzokev's shot from short distance in the 3rd minute. Nedko Tzokev in the 7thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Vassilis Argyrakis, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Nedko Tzokev did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-0 to the left of a surprised Vassilis Argyrakis 7 minutes into the match. U21 Bulgaria's Stoyadin Shahov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Oliverios Ribeiro in the 16th minute of play. Nedko Tzokev who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 17thth minute tested the skills of Vassilis Argyrakis when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Ramiro Novaes recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 21st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alfredo Menjivar in the 26th minute of play forced U21 Bulgaria's goalkeeper Stoyadin Shahov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When U21 Bulgaria's Nedko Tzokev in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Металург's goalie prevented a goal. U21 Bulgaria were awarded a corner in the 30th minute after Металург's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Neno Nozharov took the corner. The corner led U21 Bulgaria's Aleksandro Nesta to fire away a dangerous shot which Vassilis Argyrakis despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. John Terry hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. Georgi Asparuhov charged in rather forcefully in the 40th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Georgi Asparuhov the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 40th minute, Georgi Asparuhov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Malin Sivchev charged in rather forcefully in the 42nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Malin Sivchev the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Stoyadin Shahov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gruyo Rusev, who was totally free with the ball in the 44th minute. When Oliverios Ribeiro came up free with the goalie in the 46th minute, the Металург fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Oliverios Ribeiro couldn't finish the play.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Nedko Tzokev made a kick off. In the 52nd minute Nedko Tzokev shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vassilis Argyrakis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Mladen Isakov hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Ramiro Novaes got free with Stoyadin Shahov in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The audience was convinced that Nedko Tzokev's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Vassilis Argyrakis was relentless in the 58th minute of the game. 60 minutes into the match, Металург's goal looked a bit too open when Nedko Tzokev came free, but Vassilis Argyrakis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 66th minute U21 Bulgaria were awarded a corner. Neno Nozharov went to the cornerflag to take it. After a rather tough play, Металург's Rusi Tzapov got a free kick in the 70th minute. After 71 played minutes, U21 Bulgaria's Neno Nozharov shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Vassilis Argyrakis came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in U21 Bulgaria reached it. Georgi Asparuhov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 77th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Vassilis Argyrakis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nedko Tzokev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nedko Tzokev received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Vassilis Argyrakis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Nedko Tzokev in the 89th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Vassilis Argyrakis saved Металург from getting behind. Vassilis Argyrakis showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nedko Tzokev in the 92nd minute of the match. Stoyadin Shahov was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Oliverios Ribeiro showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-2 in the 93 minute of play. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.