National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10302 (Terracing: 7727, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Flavius Domide started the match with the kick off. 3 minutes into the game, U21 Australia's Alberto Mcjenkins nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nicodim Jivulescu made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. In the 6th minute Alberto Mcjenkins shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nicodim Jivulescu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 8 minutes in the game Costică Luncașu did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Francisc Joja. Justin Gilding hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. In the 16th minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Australia's goalkeeper Myles Hands, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Alberto Mcjenkins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nicodim Jivulescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Mcjenkins, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 Australia were awarded a corner in the 26th minute after U21 Romania's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Porter Palmington took the corner. After 26 minutes of play, U21 Australia's Lowrey Lingwoodock made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Nicodim Jivulescu was left in no man's land by his defense there! Nicodim Jivulescu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alberto Mcjenkins in the 29th minute of the match. Alberto Mcjenkins blasted a shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Nicodim Jivulescu having to make a save. After 42 minutes, Winston Reid mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Australia and the U21 Romania players grew even worse after the yellow card. Winston Reid hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. U21 Australia's Alexander Clinton was substituted for Winston Reid. The supporters of U21 Romania booed when U21 Australia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Winston Reid didn't get a good kick on the ball.

Basarab Birișu hit a great freekick 52 minutes into the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Alberto Mcjenkins got free with Nicodim Jivulescu in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. When Alberto Mcjenkins came up free with the goalie in the 55th minute, the U21 Australia 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 Alberto Mcjenkins couldn't finish the play. 61 minutes into the match, U21 Romania's goalkeeper Nicodim Jivulescu had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alberto Mcjenkins. 62 minutes into the game, Costică Luncașu was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Romania's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Australia the free kick. In the 62nd match minute, U21 Romania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Costică Luncașu to maneuver through the defense. Myles Hands took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Francisc Joja, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Francisc Joja kicked well hit freekick during the 67th minute of the match. If Francisc Joja had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 70th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Francisc Joja fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Myles Hands having to interfere. When Alexander Clinton fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Australia's protests and gave Alexander Clinton a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of U21 Romania booed when U21 Australia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alexander Clinton didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alberto Mcjenkins could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 82nd minute of the match, but Nicodim Jivulescu made a huge save. U21 Australia made a substitution. Braedan Block replaced Porter Palmington. U21 Australia's Neal Simpson was substituted for Justin Gilding. U21 Australia's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Biggs Kepert in the 85th minute. Virgil Cosoroabă's late challenge caught a U21 Australia's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Virgil Cosoroabă helped the player get up and apologised. In the 86th match minute, U21 Romania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Virgil Cosoroabă to maneuver through the defense. Nicodim Jivulescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Biggs Kepert in the 86th minute of play. Nicodim Jivulescu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lowrey Lingwoodock in the 88th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Alexander Clinton managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Australia's supporters rose to their feet, but Alexander Clinton was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nicodim Jivulescu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 90th minute, U21 Australia's Braedan Block ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Nicodim Jivulescu. Nicodim Jivulescu yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-4. In the 93rd minute Alberto Mcjenkins shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nicodim Jivulescu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 95th play minutes Braedan Block shot 0-5, a short shot which went by Nicodim Jivulescu and just under the crossbar into goal. U21 Australia's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.