National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) Themos Sougias might have been able to make a better finish in the 4th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Ähmädağa Näzärov. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Themos Sougias ran back to his position shaking his head. Ähmädağa Näzärov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Themos Sougias, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 13 minutes into the match, U21 Azerbaijan's goal looked a bit too open when Themos Sougias came free, but Ähmädağa Näzärov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Christos Savvidis took the ball and in the 16 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ähmädağa Näzärov. Ähmädağa Näzärov dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. After some fancy dribbling in the 26th minute, Ehtiram Eldarov managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Azerbaijan's supporters rose to their feet, but Ehtiram Eldarov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Andreas Gianniotis breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 29 minutes into the match, U21 Azerbaijan's goal looked a bit too open when Themos Sougias came free, but Ähmädağa Näzärov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 34th minute, Themos Sougias 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. Elvin Hätämov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ibrahim Muxtarov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Andreas Gianniotis read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 40th minute of play. Elvin Hätämov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Andreas Gianniotis having to interfere. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Elvin Hätämov was the one to do the kick off. In the 54th match minute, U21 Azerbaijan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ali Zeynel to maneuver through the defense. 58 minutes into the match, U21 Azerbaijan's goal looked a bit too open when Themos Sougias came free, but Ähmädağa Näzärov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Andreas Gianniotis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Elvin Hätämov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ähmädağa Näzärov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Themos Sougias in the 64th minute of the match. U21 Greece's Themos Sougias got a good chance for a goal in the 66th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 71st minute of the game. One of U21 Azerbaijan:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of U21 Greece:s goal. Ähmädağa Näzärov had in the 72ndth minute some difficulties stopping Panos Vakaloglou's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kosmas Varelis in the 76th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ähmädağa Näzärov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 77th match minute, U21 Greece was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Theofilos Tataridis to maneuver through the defense. In the 81st minute, U21 Greece's Kosmas Varelis dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-3. A nice corner shot did that Leonidas Panou got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Ähmädağa Näzärov quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. 88 minutes into the match, U21 Azerbaijan's goalkeeper Ähmädağa Näzärov had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Kosmas Varelis. 90 minutes into the game, Kosmas Varelis cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. Ähmädağa Näzärov was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 96 minutes into the game, Theofilos Tataridis lined in a short shot 0-5 behind a frustrated Ähmädağa Näzärov. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. U21 Greece walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.