National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Brayden McPaul took the kick off in the first half of the match. Jean-Marie Van Bever showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Brayden McPaul, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. After 5 played minutes U21 Belgium got a freekick which was hit by Wim Hendrickx. After 6th play minutes Glen Prunty shot 1-0, a short shot which went by Jean-Marie Van Bever and just under the crossbar into goal. U21 Belgium's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Cederik Hendrickx in the 10th minute. The corner ended in Cederik Hendrickx almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but U21 Ireland's Richard Duggan did a great save. Jean-Marie Van Bever showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Glen Prunty in the 15th minute of the match. 17 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's goal looked a bit too open when Glen Prunty came free, but Jean-Marie Van Bever reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a little luck, U21 Belgium's Jean-Marie Van Bever got control of the ball when Bowie Dillon tried to sneak it across the goal line. 22 minutes into the match, Bowie Dillon notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of U21 Belgium's Jean-Marie Van Bever. Jean-Marie Van Bever was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 27 minutes into the match, U21 Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Rafael Maria Van Meenen came free, but Richard Duggan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, U21 Belgium's Alain Van Huruck got a free kick in the 27th minute. In the 33rd match minute, U21 Belgium was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rafael Maria Van Meenen to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of U21 Belgium booed when U21 Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 36 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bowie Dillon didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alain Van Huruck kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. After 40 played minutes U21 Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Seoirse McJon. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Quillian Cromefeldt in the 43rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Richard Duggan prevented the ball from getting in the gole. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rafael Maria Van Meenen in the 44th minute of play forced U21 Ireland's goalkeeper Richard Duggan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Wim Hendrickx kicked well hit freekick during the 48th minute of the match. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

Richard Duggan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Quillian Cromefeldt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to U21 Ireland getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Robert Kirby hit a great ball. In the 55th minute, Cederik Hendrickx 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. Richard Duggan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cederik Hendrickx, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 61 minutes, Seoirse McJon made it 3-0 with a short kick to the right side. U21 Belgium's Jean-Marie Van Bever tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. After a rather tough play, U21 Ireland's Robert Kirby got a free kick in the 64th minute. In the 66th minute Quillian Cromefeldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Richard Duggan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Richard Duggan stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Quillian Cromefeldt's shot from short distance in the 66th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Quillian Cromefeldt got free with Richard Duggan in the 68th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. U21 Ireland's Richard Duggan proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 71st minute of the match, managed to save U21 Ireland from getting a goal against them. U21 Belgium's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Cederik Hendrickx in the 72nd minute. Jean-Marie Van Bever showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Glen Prunty, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. 88 minutes into the match, U21 Belgium's Niels Vandamme sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Richard Duggan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Glen Prunty sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. U21 Ireland had won after a very even match.