National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Corey Keegan made the kick off and thus started the match. Benjamin Carberry hit a great freekick 2 minutes into the match. Matt Ryan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Corey Keegan in the 4th minute of play. Bowie Dillon fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 5th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matt Ryan having to interfere. After a rather tough play, U21 Ireland's Donal McFrank got a free kick in the 13th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Corey Keegan in the 16th minute of play forced U21 Australia's goalkeeper Matt Ryan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 17 minutes had been played when some careless play by U21 Australia's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Donal McFrank was slow to take the kick. During this time U21 Ireland's players had a chance to rest. U21 Ireland's Bearach McSteve played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Benjamin Carberry in the 28th minute of play. If Benjamin Carberry had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. U21 Ireland's Bernard McFrank quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Danton Keam, made in the 29th minute of the game. When U21 Ireland's Barram Duggan in the 36th minute got a chance for a shot 36th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Australia's goalie prevented a goal. U21 Ireland's Bearach McSteve played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Benjamin Carberry in the 39th minute of play. Dante Fitzsimmons kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. Donal McFrank might have been able to make a better finish in the 46th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Matt Ryan. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Donal McFrank ran back to his position shaking his head.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Benjamin Carberry was the one to do the kick off. Benjamin Carberry struck a weak shot in the 51st minute. Bearach McSteve didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Australia. Barram Duggan fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matt Ryan having to interfere. 55 minutes into the match, U21 Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Matt Marsland came free, but Bearach McSteve reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 57 played minutes U21 Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Carrig Hutton. Matt Ryan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aaron Jameson in the 61st minute of play. Bearach McSteve took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Matt Marsland, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Bernard McFrank kicked well hit freekick during the 64th minute of the match. U21 Australia's Jarrod Mcmillan was substituted for Roy Baba. A collision led to U21 Ireland getting a freekick after 66 minutes play. Bernard McFrank hit a great ball. Matt Marsland might have been able to make a better finish in the 69th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Bearach McSteve. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Matt Marsland ran back to his position shaking his head. Bearach McSteve made an important save on a dangerous shot by Benjamin Carberry in the 70th minute. Bearach McSteve showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lian Cai in the 72nd minute of the match. 81 minutes into the match, U21 Ireland's goalkeeper Bearach McSteve had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lian Cai. In the 85th minute Corey Keegan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matt Ryan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Matt Ryan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aaron Jameson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Matt Ryan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aaron Jameson, who was totally free with the ball in the 90th minute. 92 minutes into the match, U21 Ireland's Aaron Jameson sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Matt Ryan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. U21 Ireland's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.