National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10305 (Terracing: 7729, Seating: 2370, VIP seats: 206) U21 Russia's Josep Guardiola started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Lance Bungard made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Josep Guardiola in the 3rd minute of play. Lance Bungard showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vladimir Suvorov in the 8th minute of the match. U21 Australia's Lance Bungard played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Josep Guardiola in the 11th minute of play. In the 13th minute Josep Guardiola shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lance Bungard saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some careless play in the U21 Russia defense, Jordon Fordham kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Igor Evdokimov. The U21 Russia fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Igor Evdokimov should have stopped the shot. Lance Bungard showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Josep Guardiola, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. 22 minutes into the match, Jordon Fordham notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of U21 Russia's Igor Evdokimov. Igor Evdokimov was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The audience was convinced that Jordon Fordham's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Igor Evdokimov was relentless in the 28th minute of the game. U21 Australia's Lance Bungard played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Josep Guardiola in the 30th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jordon Fordham in the 33rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Igor Evdokimov saved U21 Russia from getting behind. In the 34th minute U21 Australia were awarded a corner. Biggs Brophy went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led U21 Australia's Biggs Brophy to fire away a dangerous shot which Igor Evdokimov despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Dmitriy Malakhov hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. U21 Australia's Jordon Fordham got a good chance for a goal in the 39th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Biggs Brophy was the one to do the kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Vladimir Suvorov during the 51st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Vladimir Suvorov hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. Jordon Fordham blasted a shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Igor Evdokimov having to make a save. 55 minutes into the match, U21 Russia's goal looked a bit too open when Jordon Fordham came free, but Igor Evdokimov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Igor Evdokimov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jordon Fordham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 63rd minute, U21 Russia's Josep Guardiola ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Lance Bungard. Lance Bungard yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-1. U21 Russia's Evgeniy Aborenkov was substituted for Dmitriy Malakhov. U21 Australia's Danton Mcinnes was substituted for Biggs Brophy. Vadim Pavlov might have been able to make a better finish in the 71st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Lance Bungard. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vadim Pavlov ran back to his position shaking his head. Lance Bungard took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Josep Guardiola, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Josep Guardiola in the 77th minute of play forced U21 Australia's goalkeeper Lance Bungard to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. U21 Russia made a substitution. Aleksandr Kruglyakov replaced Klim Amalitskiy. U21 Australia made a substitution. Meyer Paddle replaced Barney Greenan. U21 Australia's Antonia Keayes was substituted for Boyd Pavkovic. 85 minutes into the game, Vladimir Suvorov recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Lance Bungard. Vladimir Suvorov showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-3. Lance Bungard made an important save on a dangerous shot by Denis Domogarov in the 90th minute. With a little luck, U21 Australia's Lance Bungard got control of the ball when Denis Domogarov tried to sneak it across the goal line. Lance Bungard showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Denis Domogarov, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. The U21 Russia supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing U21 Russia would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.