National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10302 (Terracing: 7727, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Mikael Camacho kicked off to start the match. In the 4th minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Costa Rica's goalkeeper Hernan Alvarado, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. U21 Israel were awarded a corner in the 5th minute after U21 Costa Rica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Naaman Aroch took the corner. After taking down the ball on U21 Israel's corner Asarel Zuaretz fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Hernan Alvarado quite easily take care of the ball. 8 minutes into the game, U21 Israel's Eliot Saroyan nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Hernan Alvarado made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Oz Boim made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Federico Sanabria in the 12th minute of play. After 12 minutes of play, U21 Costa Rica's Federico Sanabria made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Oz Boim was left in no man's land by his defense there! The supporters of U21 Costa Rica booed when U21 Israel was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 14 match minutes in a wonderful position. Yotvat Gefen didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Federico Sanabria in the 17th minute of play forced U21 Israel's goalkeeper Oz Boim to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Oz Boim made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mikael Camacho in the 20th minute of play. Minor Castillo made in the 22nd minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by U21 Israel's Yotvat Gefen. 23 minutes into the match, U21 Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Eliot Saroyan came free, but Hernan Alvarado reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Emmanuel Peralta kicked well hit freekick during the 26th minute of the match. 31 minutes into the match, U21 Israel's goal looked a bit too open when Federico Sanabria came free, but Oz Boim reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Yotvat Gefen's late challenge caught a U21 Costa Rica's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Yotvat Gefen helped the player get up and apologised. After 36 played minutes U21 Israel got a freekick which was hit by Yotvat Gefen. U21 Israel were awarded a corner in the 40th minute after U21 Costa Rica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Naaman Aroch took the corner. The corner ended in Naaman Aroch almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but U21 Costa Rica's Hernan Alvarado did a great save. In the 46th match minute, U21 Israel was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Zamir Gilett to maneuver through the defense. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

After 53 minutes of play U21 Israel's Yotvat Gefen was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. Mikael Camacho hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. Oz Boim took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mikael Camacho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 Costa Rica's Bernie Oviedo was substituted for Mikael Camacho. U21 Israel's Yedidiah Wolf was substituted for Iago Danieli. U21 Israel's Eliot Saroyan managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Minor Castillo in the 63 minute of the game. Asarel Zuaretz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. U21 Costa Rica made a substitution. Angel Fallas replaced Emmanuel Peralta. U21 Israel's Tzadick Friedland was substituted for Eliot Saroyan. The throw-in from Asarel Zuaretz in the 72nd minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by U21 Costa Rica's Minor Castillo. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Costa Rica's zone, Yedidiah Wolf stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hernan Alvarado came out of the goal and Yedidiah Wolf tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. U21 Israel's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.