National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 5149 (Terracing: 3862, Seating: 1184, VIP seats: 103) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Dorel Mititel got the match started through his kick off. 3 minutes into the match, U21 Moldova's goal looked a bit too open when Wouter Averdijk came free, but Ghenadie Damian reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 9 minutes into the game, U21 Moldova's Sandu Vasiliu nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Albert Mans made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Ghenadie Damian made an important save on a dangerous shot by Matthijs Ebbinge in the 12th minute. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Netherlands's zone, Sandu Vasiliu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Albert Mans came out of the goal and Sandu Vasiliu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Wouter Averdijk got free with Ghenadie Damian in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 18th minute Komen Schotte shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ghenadie Damian saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, U21 Moldova's Adrian Stratulat got a free kick in the 22nd minute. In the 23rd minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Moldova's goalkeeper Ghenadie Damian, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Ghenadie Damian showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Matthijs Ebbinge, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. Albert Mans showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sandu Vasiliu in the 28th minute of the match. In the 30th minute of the match, Matthijs Ebbinge tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Ghenadie Damian saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pavel Crivoi in the 31st minute of play forced U21 Netherlands's goalkeeper Albert Mans to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dorel Mititel hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. 47 minutes into the match, Matthijs Ebbinge had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ghenadie Damian. U21 Moldova's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Matthijs Ebbinge was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-2.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Komen Schotte to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Netherlands's goalkeeper Albert Mans, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 57th minute, Sandu Vasiliu managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Moldova's supporters rose to their feet, but Sandu Vasiliu was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Albert Mans breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthijs Ebbinge in the 58th minute of play forced U21 Moldova's goalkeeper Ghenadie Damian to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 60 minutes into the match, U21 Netherlands's goalkeeper Albert Mans had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sandu Vasiliu. The supporters of U21 Moldova booed when U21 Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wouter Averdijk didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sandu Vasiliu in the 63rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Albert Mans saved U21 Netherlands from getting behind. Sandu Vasiliu's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Albert Mans read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 64th minute of play. In the 68th minute, Sandu Vasiliu reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Albert Mans. The goal made the score 2-3. U21 Moldova made a substitution. Ion Creangă replaced Dorel Mititel. 74 minutes into the match, U21 Moldova's goal looked a bit too open when Matthijs Ebbinge came free, but Ghenadie Damian reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Netherlands made a substitution. Martien Overmars replaced Wouter Averdijk. U21 Moldova made a substitution. Boris Cercel replaced Valentin Vizitiu. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthijs Ebbinge in the 88th minute of play forced U21 Moldova's goalkeeper Ghenadie Damian to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ghenadie Damian took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Matthijs Ebbinge, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sandu Vasiliu hit a great freekick 96 minutes into the match. In the 97th minute of the match Maikel Jol sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ghenadie Damian skillfully saved the ball. When the referee blew the final whistle jeers and boos were heard from the home team's supporters. They were angered to see U21 Netherlands lose a match they had controlled from the kick-off.