National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 15921 (Terracing: 10000, Seating: 5448, VIP seats: 473) The mood of the audience was pleasant when J.P. Kapar made the kick off which started today's match. 3 minutes into the match, Tobías Gunnarsson dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Édouard Mendy, 1-0. 5 minutes into the match, U21 France's goal looked a bit too open when Emanuel Obafuso came free, but Manuel Espagnet reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Manuel Espagnet made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ive Volckaerts in the 6th minute of play. U21 France's Manuel Espagnet played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Emanuel Obafuso in the 8th minute of play. 9 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Tobías Gunnarsson. U21 France's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Salomon Jestin in the 10th minute. The corner ended in Salomon Jestin almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but U21 Belgium's Édouard Mendy did a great save. 19 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Salomon Jestin. In the 23rd minute Emanuel Obafuso shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Manuel Espagnet saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Emanuel Obafuso spun around in front of the goal 24 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of U21 France's goal. Tobías Gunnarsson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 25th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Édouard Mendy having to interfere. Emanuel Obafuso received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Manuel Espagnet tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Noël Chiche's late challenge caught a U21 Belgium's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Noël Chiche helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, U21 France's Noël Chiche got a free kick in the 30th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ive Volckaerts in the 31st minute of play forced U21 France's goalkeeper Manuel Espagnet to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in U21 France's zone, Ive Volckaerts stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Manuel Espagnet came out of the goal and Ive Volckaerts tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Manuel Espagnet didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Emanuel Obafuso went, in the 36th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Édouard Mendy showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from J.P. Kapar in the 38th minute of the match. 40 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goal looked a bit too open when Salomon Jestin came free, but Édouard Mendy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Daan Vos lost his temper 45 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. Daan Vos hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. 46 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Salomon Jestin. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Emanuel Obafuso made a kick off. Manuel Espagnet made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronny Cromefeldt in the 53rd minute of play. U21 Belgium were awarded a corner in the 54th minute after U21 France's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Ronny Cromefeldt took the corner. The corner led U21 Belgium's Brend Van der Goten to fire away a dangerous shot which Manuel Espagnet despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. U21 Belgium's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Ronny Cromefeldt in the 55th minute. Édouard Mendy showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from J.P. Kapar in the 56th minute of the match. 57 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goal looked a bit too open when Salomon Jestin came free, but Édouard Mendy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Everyone was convinced a goal was close when U21 Belgium's Emanuel Obafuso in the 58th minute lifted the ball towards the upper right corner, but Manuel Espagnet was perfectly placed and prevented a goal for U21 France through an amazing save. Édouard Mendy took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from J.P. Kapar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Édouard Mendy made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from J.P. Kapar in the 65th minute of play. 67 minutes into the game, Ronny Cromefeldt recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Manuel Espagnet. Ronny Cromefeldt showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-2. U21 Belgium's Ringo Rau was substituted for Emanuel Obafuso. The supporters of U21 France booed when U21 Belgium was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ive Volckaerts didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 72nd minute, Salomon Jestin sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and U21 Belgium's Édouard Mendy didn't even have to move. Édouard Mendy didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from J.P. Kapar went, in the 82nd minute, to the upper right corner, 2-2 was the resulting score. 86 minutes into the game, Salomon Jestin was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 France's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Belgium the free kick. Édouard Mendy showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tobías Gunnarsson in the 88th minute of the match. Manuel Espagnet showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ronny Cromefeldt in the 90th minute of the match. In the 93rd minute Rick Grimes shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Édouard Mendy saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Robben Montens kicked well hit freekick during the 95th minute of the match. The whistle blew for the end of the second half and the match was still tied. The players were able to take a short break before lining up again for extra-time.

After resting during the break, the players from both teams went out on the field looking very concentrated. It was now first half of the overtime. J.P. Kapar made the kick off and play began. 101 minutes into the game, Pau Pieth was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 France's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Belgium the free kick.