National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Brayden McPaul got the match started through his kick off. U21 Azerbaijan's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Bäşir Abudova in the 7th minute. After taking down the ball on U21 Azerbaijan's corner Älämdar Ähmädov fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Richard Duggan quite easily take care of the ball. U21 Ireland's Brayden McPaul was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 10th play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. 15 minutes into the match, Nurlan Salmanov had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Richard Duggan. U21 Ireland's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Nurlan Salmanov was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brayden McPaul in the 24th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ariz Äsädulla saved U21 Azerbaijan from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Älämdar Ähmädov in the 26th minute of play forced U21 Ireland's goalkeeper Richard Duggan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ağasif Cäbrayilov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 29th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Richard Duggan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nurlan Salmanov, who was totally free with the ball in the 31st minute. Ariz Äsädulla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Barram Duggan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brayden McPaul in the 36th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ariz Äsädulla saved U21 Azerbaijan from getting behind. Richard Duggan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nurlan Salmanov in the 38th minute of play. When U21 Ireland's Brayden McPaul in the 42nd minute got a chance for a shot 42nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Azerbaijan's goalie prevented a goal. Ariz Äsädulla stood somewhat misplaced when Brayden McPaul came free in front of goal and shot 2-1 to the left of him in the 44 minute. Barram Duggan fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ariz Äsädulla having to interfere. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Nurlan Salmanov to make the kick off. In the 52nd minute, Seoirse McJon made a precise shot to the right of Ariz Äsädulla. U21 Azerbaijan's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-1. In the 57th minute, Bernard McFrank hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 59 minutes into the match, U21 Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Älämdar Ähmädov came free, but Richard Duggan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Ireland's Richard Duggan proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 65th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Ireland from getting a goal against them. In the 66th minute Brayden McPaul shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ariz Äsädulla saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 67 played minutes U21 Azerbaijan got a freekick which was hit by Qağakişi Dünyamaliyev. After a rather tough play, U21 Azerbaijan's Orxan Alişanov got a free kick in the 70th minute. In the 72nd minute Brayden McPaul shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ariz Äsädulla saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. U21 Ireland's Richard Duggan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nurlan Salmanov in the 74th minute of play. Richard Duggan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Qağakişi Dünyamaliyev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice moves Älämdar Ähmädov could shoot a difficult shot in the 79th minute, which Richard Duggan however easily saved by the left post. In the 80thth minute of the game Brayden McPaul who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Azerbaijan's Ariz Äsädulla was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. A collision led to U21 Ireland getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Barram Duggan hit a great ball. Richard Duggan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Nurlan Salmanov in the 84th minute. Richard Duggan was out of position in the 92 minute of play, and Älämdar Ähmädov capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Älämdar Ähmädov really showed his touch with that goal: 3-2. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. U21 Ireland were victorious despite being under pressure from U21 Azerbaijan for much of the match.