National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10305 (Terracing: 7729, Seating: 2370, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Patrice Mothobi kicked off to start the match. Marko Livaja who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 4thth minute tested the skills of Leslie Thebe when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Leslie Thebe made a fantastic save in the 6th minute, when Marko Livaja sent off a good shot on target. Leslie Thebe took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marko Livaja, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 10 minutes into the game, Luka Mata recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Leslie Thebe. Luka Mata showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Milton Mncube hit a great freekick 13 minutes into the match. The supporters of U21 Croatia booed when U21 South Africa was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 14 match minutes in a wonderful position. Milton Mncube didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marko Livajas short, quick shot in the 15thth minute got Leslie Thebe to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. U21 South Africa's Leslie Thebe played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jadranko Šrenger in the 18th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Marko Livaja's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Leslie Thebe was relentless in the 20th minute of the game. A hard shot 21 in the game by Marko Livaja from a close distance when the talented Leslie Thebe managed to make a qualified save. U21 South Africa's players were relieved. Marko Livaja in the 25thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Leslie Thebe, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. The audience was convinced that Marko Livaja's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Leslie Thebe was relentless in the 27th minute of the game. In the 29th minute of the match U21 Croatia got a corner. U21 South Africa's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. John Terry ran over to the corner to take the kick. U21 Croatia's John Terry was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Leslie Thebe in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. 31 minutes into the match, U21 South Africa's goalkeeper Leslie Thebe had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jadranko Šrenger. Marko Livajas short, quick shot in the 33rdth minute got Leslie Thebe to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Marko Livaja in the 35th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Leslie Thebe saved U21 South Africa from getting behind. Joško Poklepović could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 43rd minute of the match, but Leslie Thebe made a huge save. Gojko Travar showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Patrice Mothobi, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Marko Livaja to strike the kick off in the second half. Patrice Mothobi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Gojko Travar tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With an all-out effort, U21 South Africa's Gojko Travar threw himself towards the right post 56 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Milton Mncube, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Gojko Travar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jafta Tshabalala in the 60th minute of play. Gojko Travar was out of position in the 64 minute of play, and Milton Mncube capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Milton Mncube really showed his touch with that goal: 2-2. U21 Croatia's Lazar Kotlar was substituted for Filip Adžija. U21 Croatia made a substitution. Kruno Rakočević replaced Ostoja Serdarević. In the 68th minute, Patrice Mothobi got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Leslie Thebe showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nikola Vlašić, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. In the 72nd minute, Patrice Mothobi left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The U21 South Africa fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-3. U21 South Africa's Leslie Thebe played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luka Mata in the 78th minute of play. Leslie Thebe showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luka Mata in the 79th minute of the match. Gojko Travar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Milton Mncube in the 81st minute of the match. John Terry struck a weak shot in the 85th minute. Leslie Thebe didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Croatia. U21 South Africa's Hoadley Inguana quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Lazar Kotlar, made in the 89th minute of the game. After having played for 90 minutes, Patrice Mothobi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. U21 South Africa's supporters crossed their fingers, but Patrice Mothobi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal.