National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Belgium's Thierry Reijnders 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. Belgium's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Jordi De Becker in the 5th minute. 14 minutes into the game, Brandon McLiam cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Bala Packa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Brennan Dunne made an important save on a dangerous shot by Thierry Reijnders in the 17th minute. Belgium's Bala Packa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giles Dalton in the 19th minute of play. In the 21st minute Ireland were awarded a corner. Aaron McSteve went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led Ireland's Cormac McSteve to fire away a dangerous shot which Bala Packa despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After 21 minutes, Cormac McSteve made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Belgium's Bala Packa tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Cormac McSteve struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Bala Packa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ireland. An unexpectedly hard shot by Thierry Reijnders in the 28th minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Brennan Dunne to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Brennan Dunne made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thierry Reijnders in the 33rd minute of play. Thierry Reijnders came free with the goalkeeper in the 37th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Brennan Dunne could save by the left post. Brennan Dunne made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thierry Reijnders in the 38th minute of play. Ireland's Bola McFrank managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Leopold Van Beetz in the 40 minute of the game. A collision led to Belgium getting a freekick after 45 minutes play. Leopold Van Beetz hit a great ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-2.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Brandon McLiam to strike the kick off in the second half. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Thierry Reijnders in the 53rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brennan Dunne saved Ireland from getting behind. Bala Packa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cormac McSteve in the 58th minute of play. Aaron McSteve made in the 59th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Brandon McLiam immediately put the ball in play. Belgium's Thierry Reijnders got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 72 minutes into the match, Thierry Reijnders notched a goal, 2-2, to the right of Ireland's Brennan Dunne. Brennan Dunne was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 77th minute, Thierry Reijnders left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Belgium fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-2. After 83 minutes of play, Belgium's Thierry Reijnders made it 4-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Brennan Dunne was left in no man's land by his defense there! Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Brandon McLiam in the 88th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bala Packa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Thierry Reijnders in the 90th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brennan Dunne saved Ireland from getting behind. After some careless play in the Ireland defense, Thierry Reijnders kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Brennan Dunne. The Ireland fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Brennan Dunne should have stopped the shot. Belgium were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Ireland for a fine match.