National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 15921 (Terracing: 10000, Seating: 5448, VIP seats: 473) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Peter Uhlár made the kick off which started today's match. Keith Lee-Barrett made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Peter Uhlár in the 4th minute of play. Pierce Fenton who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 8thth minute tested the skills of Tibor Unger when he managed to save the team from getting behind. In the 9th minute U21 England were awarded a corner. Marty Pritchard went to the cornerflag to take it. U21 England's Mark Noble was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Tibor Unger in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Tibor Unger took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Pierce Fenton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 Slovakia's Tibor Unger played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pierce Fenton in the 13th minute of play. Pierce Fenton in the 19thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Tibor Unger, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Pierce Fentons short, quick shot in the 19thth minute got Tibor Unger to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. In the 22ndth minute of the game Pierce Fenton who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Slovakia's Tibor Unger was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 31 minutes into the match, U21 Slovakia's goal looked a bit too open when Pierce Fenton came free, but Tibor Unger reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 33 minutes of play, U21 Slovakia's Marek Hamšík made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Keith Lee-Barrett was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 36th minute, Marek Hamšík hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Pierce Fenton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tibor Unger having to interfere. After 40 minutes, Peter Uhlár mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Slovakia and the U21 England players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, U21 Slovakia's Peter Uhlár got a free kick in the 40th minute. In the 41st minute, Pierce Hayles hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jozef Holeš's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Keith Lee-Barrett read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 42nd minute of play. In the 44th minute, Juraj Kuckuck 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. Peter Uhlár fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Keith Lee-Barrett having to interfere. 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.

After 55 minutes U21 England's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Jozef Holeš who took care of the corner kick. U21 England's Brynn Taylor was substituted for Pierce Fenton. U21 England's Micheal Nottingham was substituted for Marty Pritchard. After 70 played minutes U21 England got a freekick which was hit by Marc Penn. U21 Slovakia's Tibor Unger played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mark Noble in the 73rd minute of play. After 79 minutes U21 Slovakia's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Robert Beerman who took care of the corner kick. A nice corner shot did that Robert Beerman got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Tibor Unger quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. When U21 England's Brynn Taylor in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Slovakia's goalie prevented a goal. After 86 minutes, Gabriel Jančich mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Slovakia and the U21 England players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 86 played minutes U21 Slovakia got a freekick which was hit by Gabriel Jančich. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brynn Taylor in the 88th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tibor Unger saved U21 Slovakia from getting behind. When U21 England's Brynn Taylor in the 89th minute got a chance for a shot 89th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Slovakia's goalie prevented a goal. Tibor Unger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Loyd Folwill in the 94th minute of the match. If Brynn Taylor had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 96 minutes into the match, U21 England's Micheal Nottingham sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Tibor Unger narrowly saved just below the crossbar. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. U21 Slovakia had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.