National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) U21 Cyprus's Iphikles Vamvakidis 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. After 6 minutes, Arvīds Freidis mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Latvia and the U21 Cyprus players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 6th match minute, U21 Latvia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arvīds Freidis to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dimosthenis Koulouris in the 7th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Martins Luters prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Iphikles Vamvakidis struck a weak shot in the 9th minute. Martins Luters didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Cyprus. In the 16th minute, Iphikles Vamvakidis 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. In the 21st minute U21 Cyprus were awarded a corner. Aktaion Vassilikos went to the cornerflag to take it. U21 Cyprus's Iphikles Preftokis was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Martins Luters in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. The audience thought a goal was coming when Agris Devējs got free with Troizen Karaoulanis in the 26th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 29thth minute of the game Dimosthenis Koulouris who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Latvia's Martins Luters was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 31st minute, Dimosthenis Koulouris made a precise shot to the right of Martins Luters. U21 Latvia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. 42 minutes into the match, U21 Latvia's goal looked a bit too open when Dimosthenis Koulouris came free, but Martins Luters reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Voldemārs Ramanis was the one to do the kick off. After a rather tough play, U21 Cyprus's Oileus Missiakos got a free kick in the 54th minute. Martins Luters made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dimosthenis Koulouris in the 56th minute. Druvis Batars sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 67th minute, Vilnis Beļskis hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. U21 Cyprus's Xanthos Hristopoulos was substituted for Akis Pantelakos. A collision led to U21 Latvia getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Vilnis Beļskis hit a great ball. In the 69th minute Iphikles Vamvakidis shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martins Luters saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Iphikles Vamvakidis struck a weak shot in the 74th minute. Martins Luters didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Cyprus. In the 77th minute, Iphikles Vamvakidis 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. A collision led to U21 Cyprus getting a freekick after 78 minutes play. Xanthos Hristopoulos hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Latvia's zone, Iphikles Vamvakidis stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Martins Luters came out of the goal and Iphikles Vamvakidis tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When the referee blew the final whistle jeers and boos were heard from the home team's supporters. They were angered to see U21 Latvia lose a match they had controlled from the kick-off.