National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10302 (Terracing: 7727, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Sabir Dünyamaliyev got the match started through his kick off. Emad Al Herz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sabir Dünyamaliyev in the 3rd minute of the match. 6 minutes into the game, Ämir Abuzärov recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Emad Al Herz. Ämir Abuzärov showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. In the 9th minute, Qurban Balakişiyev ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Emad Al Herz was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-0. Emad Al Herz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sabir Dünyamaliyev in the 13th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sabir Dünyamaliyev in the 16th minute of play forced U21 Kuwait's goalkeeper Emad Al Herz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Emad Al Herz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ämir Abuzärov in the 18th minute of the match. Abülfäz Yaqubov could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 25th minute of the match, but Emad Al Herz made a huge save. Emad Al Herz was a little too slow when Sabir Dünyamaliyev got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 28th minute. The score was now 4-0. Emad Al Herz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sabir Dünyamaliyev in the 32nd minute of play. Emad Al Herz made an important save on a dangerous shot by Qurban Balakişiyev in the 34th minute. U21 Kuwait's Emad Al Herz proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Kuwait from getting a goal against them. 38 minutes into the match, U21 Kuwait's goalkeeper Emad Al Herz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abülfäz Yaqubov. U21 Kuwait's Emad Al Herz proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 41st minute of the match, managed to save U21 Kuwait from getting a goal against them. 44 minutes into the match, U21 Kuwait's goal looked a bit too open when Qurban Balakişiyev came free, but Emad Al Herz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Abülfäz Yaqubov fell near the penalty area in the 45th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Azerbaijan's protests and gave Abülfäz Yaqubov a yellow card for diving instead. In the 45th minute, Abülfäz Yaqubov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jarah Al Hadhod to make the kick off. In the 53rd match minute, U21 Azerbaijan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abülfäz Yaqubov to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sabir Dünyamaliyev in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Emad Al Herz saved U21 Kuwait from getting behind. In the 63rd minute Abülfäz Yaqubov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Emad Al Herz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jarah Al Hadhod fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sahil Äbhäzov having to interfere. 69 minutes into the match, Abülfäz Yaqubov had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Emad Al Herz. U21 Kuwait's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Abülfäz Yaqubov was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 5-0. After 72 played minutes U21 Kuwait got a freekick which was hit by Mazen Mandane. 76 minutes into the match, U21 Azerbaijan's goal looked a bit too open when Jarah Al Hadhod came free, but Sahil Äbhäzov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Sabir Dünyamaliyev had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Qurban Balakişiyev kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. Emad Al Herz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sabir Dünyamaliyev, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. Abülfäz Yaqubov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. U21 Azerbaijan had played much better football throughout.