National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10309 (Terracing: 7732, Seating: 2371, VIP seats: 206) Northern Ireland's Aaron Ely started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Hector Calderon scored 1-0 in the 2nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Andrew Colt , who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hector Calderon in the 5th minute of play forced Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Andrew Colt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Aaron Ely in the 6th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nelson Saenz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The Northern Ireland fans' excitement grew in the 6th match minute when Northern Ireland's Aaron Ely looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Alfredo Cruz didn't miss a given chance and shot in short distance 2-1 via right post in the game's 9th minute. Costa Rica's supporters showed their exhuberating excitement! Costa Rica's Nelson Saenz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alexander North in the 12th minute of play. Andrew Colt made a fantastic save in the 14th minute, when Pepe Williams sent off a good shot on target. Pepe Williams who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 25thth minute tested the skills of Andrew Colt when he managed to save the team from getting behind. 28 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Aaron Ely came free, but Nelson Saenz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 30th minute, Alexander North ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Nelson Saenz was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-2. Andrew Colt made a fantastic save in the 34th minute, when Pepe Williams sent off a good shot on target. With his leg Andrew Colt managed to avoid a goal in the 36thth minute, when Costa Rica's Pepe Williams fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Nelson Saenz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aaron Ely in the 40th minute of play. 42 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Aaron Ely came free, but Nelson Saenz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Costa Rica's Nelson Saenz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alexander North in the 44th minute of play. In the 45th minute, Aaron Ely 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.

The wind increased when Pepe Williams made the kick off in the second half. Aaron Ely sent away a hard shot on goal in the 50th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Andrew Colt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pepe Williams in the 52nd minute of play. Alexander North struck a weak shot in the 54th minute. Nelson Saenz didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Northern Ireland. 55 minutes into the game, Costa Rica's Pepe Williams nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Andrew Colt made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-2. The supporters of Northern Ireland booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hector Calderon didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pepe Williams in the 64th minute of play forced Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Andrew Colt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Northern Ireland getting a freekick after 65 minutes play. Sammy Farrell hit a great ball. Nelson Saenz made a fantastic save in the 67th minute, when Alexander North sent off a good shot on target. After having played for 69 minutes, Pepe Williams managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Costa Rica's supporters crossed their fingers, but Pepe Williams was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Costa Rica's Uriel Fuentes was substituted for Alfredo Cruz. Costa Rica made a substitution. Emiliano Mejias replaced Bernie Davila. Costa Rica made a substitution. Bennie Duran replaced Hector Calderon. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pepe Williams in the 72nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Andrew Colt prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pepe Williams in the 72nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Andrew Colt prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 75 minutes into the match, Northern Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Uriel Fuentes came free, but Andrew Colt reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Pepe Williams took the ball and in the 76 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Andrew Colt . Andrew Colt dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 4-2. If Sammy Farrell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 80th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Northern Ireland made a substitution. Rowan Maloney replaced Brynn Savage . Nelson Saenz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aaron Ely in the 83rd minute of the match. Pepe Williams's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Andrew Colt read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 84th minute of play. In the 90th minute of the match, Rodd Salmon tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Nelson Saenz saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 97th minute Northern Ireland were awarded a corner. Kenneth Lydiate went to the cornerflag to take it. Northern Ireland's Kenneth Lydiate was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Nelson Saenz in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Northern Ireland's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.