National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10305 (Terracing: 7729, Seating: 2370, VIP seats: 206) With his leg Cliff Pike managed to avoid a goal in the 6thth minute, when U21 Croatia's Donat Bratanović fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After taking down the ball on U21 Croatia's corner Miljenko Bujanović fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Cliff Pike quite easily take care of the ball. Donat Bratanović received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 11th minute. Cliff Pike tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cliff Pike stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Donat Bratanović's shot from short distance in the 14th minute. U21 Croatia's Jasmin Đupić played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elberg Gota in the 18th minute of play. Donat Bratanović blasted a shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Cliff Pike having to make a save. Radoslav Baričić kicked well hit freekick during the 22nd minute of the match. U21 Croatia's Jasmin Đupić played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lawrence Beltran in the 33rd minute of play. Jasmin Đupić showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Terrance Hancock, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. Donat Bratanović kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. Donat Bratanović struck a weak shot in the 39th minute. Cliff Pike didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Croatia. In the 44th match minute, U21 Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kazimir Sturko to maneuver through the defense. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Mel Sargent made a kick off. If Donat Bratanović had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jasmin Đupić showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mel Sargent in the 53rd minute of the match. Mel Sargent received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 54th minute. Jasmin Đupić tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. U21 United States's Garth Cottrell was substituted for Elberg Gota. U21 United States's Charlie Deaton was substituted for Terrance Hancock. Cliff Pike showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Stanislav Kladarić in the 68th minute of the match. The supporters of U21 United States booed when U21 Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kazimir Sturko didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, U21 Croatia's Donat Bratanović got a free kick in the 74th minute. In the 75th minute, Guy Tinsley made a precise shot to the right of Jasmin Đupić. U21 Croatia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Garth Cottrell hit a great freekick 85 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Donat Bratanović in the 89th minute of play forced U21 United States's goalkeeper Cliff Pike to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Stanislav Kladarić hit a great freekick 89 minutes into the match. Jasmin Đupić took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Garth Cottrell, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 United States's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.