National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Dominic Haug made the kick off which started today's match. A hard shot 3 in the game by Lukas Podolski from a close distance when the talented Ariz Äsädulla managed to make a qualified save. U21 Azerbaijan's players were relieved. Orxan Alişanov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 11th match minute, U21 Austria was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dominic Haug to maneuver through the defense. 13 minutes into the match, U21 Austria's goal looked a bit too open when Älämdar Ähmädov came free, but Frederic Gschwendtner reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lukas Podolski got free with Ariz Äsädulla in the 14th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Lukas Podolskis short, quick shot in the 18thth minute got Ariz Äsädulla to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. With a little luck, U21 Azerbaijan's Ariz Äsädulla got control of the ball when Lukas Podolski tried to sneak it across the goal line. The nice shot from Lukas Podolski in the 21stth minute just in front of the goal should have ended in point on the board, but Ariz Äsädulla had a great feel for the game and superbly saved the ball from getting in by the left post. U21 Azerbaijan's Ariz Äsädulla proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 27th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Azerbaijan from getting a goal against them. Älämdar Ähmädov scored 0-2 in the 29th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Frederic Gschwendtner, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Lukas Podolski's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ariz Äsädulla read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 31st minute of play. In the 36th minute U21 Austria were awarded a corner. Jan-Moritz Weisheit went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led U21 Austria's Jan-Moritz Weisheit to fire away a dangerous shot which Ariz Äsädulla despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a rather tough play, U21 Azerbaijan's Älämdar Ähmädov got a free kick in the 36th minute. Ariz Äsädulla was a little too slow when Lukas Podolski got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 39th minute. The score was now 1-2. Lukas Podolski's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ariz Äsädulla read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 42nd minute of play. In the 46th minute, Lukas Podolski left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The U21 Austria fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-2. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Nurlan Salmanov stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Lukas Podolski kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dominic Haug in the 53rd minute of play forced U21 Azerbaijan's goalkeeper Ariz Äsädulla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lukas Podolski took the ball and in the 55 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ariz Äsädulla. Ariz Äsädulla dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-2. Frederic Gschwendtner made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nurlan Salmanov in the 64th minute of play. Nurlan Salmanov spun around in front of the goal 65 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of U21 Austria's goal. U21 Azerbaijan's Ariz Äsädulla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dominic Haug in the 67th minute of play. In the 68th minute, Orxan Alişanov fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Frederic Gschwendtner, passed just outside the right post. Frederic Gschwendtner was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Nurlan Salmanov showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 3-3 in the 68 minute of play. 72 minutes into the match, Dominic Haug had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ariz Äsädulla. U21 Azerbaijan's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Dominic Haug was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 4-3. U21 Austria's Robin Schriebl was substituted for Dominic Haug. U21 Austria's Adem Ferrari was substituted for Sebastian Ziegler. The supporters of U21 Azerbaijan booed when U21 Austria was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Heiko Gräber didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ariz Äsädulla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jörg Moratschke, who was totally free with the ball in the 79th minute. U21 Austria's Jan-Moritz Weisheit quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Mülayim Bilalov, made in the 81st minute of the game. Jan-Moritz Weisheit hit a great freekick 85 minutes into the match. U21 Austria were furious when Kilian Jonen was red carded, 90 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 89th minute of the game. One of U21 Austria:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of U21 Azerbaijan:s goal. The supporters of U21 Azerbaijan booed when U21 Austria was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 97 match minutes in a wonderful position. Florian Fritz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.