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 Brann Morrison got the match started through his kick off. Baiste O'Neill made an important save on a dangerous shot by Santo Storr in the 2nd minute. The audience was convinced that Santo Storr's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Baiste O'Neill was relentless in the 6th minute of the game. Guy Tinsley fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Baiste O'Neill having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Charlie Deaton in the 15th minute of play forced U21 Ireland's goalkeeper Baiste O'Neill to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Santo Storr fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Baiste O'Neill having to interfere. In the 29th minute, Brann Morrison ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Caleb Esparza was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. After a defensive mix-up in U21 United States's zone, Brann Morrison stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Caleb Esparza came out of the goal and Brann Morrison tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Olin Little might have been able to make a better finish in the 33rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Baiste O'Neill. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Olin Little ran back to his position shaking his head. The audience thought a goal was coming when Guy Tinsley got free with Baiste O'Neill in the 35th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Philip McOliver hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. In the 41st minute, U21 United States's Guy Tinsley ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Baiste O'Neill. Baiste O'Neill yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. Caleb Esparza made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Brann Morrison in the 44th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Brann Morrison in the 45th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Caleb Esparza prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Caleb Esparza took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Brendann Holt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 54th minute Elberg Gota shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Baiste O'Neill saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Olin Little had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Elberg Gota recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Caleb Esparza took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Caoilte Delaney, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 United States's Caleb Esparza proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 63rd minute of the match, managed to save U21 United States from getting a goal against them. In the 64th minute U21 Ireland were awarded a corner. Philip McOliver went to the cornerflag to take it. It was a well-played corner which Caoilte Delaney managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. Baiste O'Neill made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Charlie Deaton in the 69th minute of play. U21 Ireland's Artt Crowe was substituted for Bevin Lavine. After 73 played minutes U21 United States got a freekick which was hit by Rafael Hollis. Caleb Esparza didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 76th minute, which inside left pole to 2-2. In the 82nd minute Olin Little shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Baiste O'Neill saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 83rd minute of the match U21 United States got a corner. U21 Ireland's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Charlie Deaton ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on U21 United States's corner Charlie Deaton fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Baiste O'Neill quite easily take care of the ball. After 86 minutes U21 United States's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Philip McOliver who took care of the corner kick. Philip McOliver made a great header on U21 Ireland's corner, it was just that U21 United States's Caleb Esparza managed to reach the ball for a save. In the 89th minute, Elberg Gota made a precise shot to the right of Baiste O'Neill. U21 Ireland's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. After a rather tough play, U21 Ireland's Brann Morrison got a free kick in the 91st minute. After a rather tough play, U21 Ireland's Petran Murphy got a free kick in the 92nd minute. When Petran Murphy fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Ireland's protests and gave Petran Murphy a yellow card for diving instead. In the 95th minute of the match Charlie Deaton sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Baiste O'Neill skillfully saved the ball. U21 United States were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of U21 Ireland for a fine match.