National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10306 (Terracing: 7730, Seating: 2370, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Dubravko Kitić kicked off to start the match. Igor Dokoza made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hamilton Tanner in the 5th minute of play. Damian Ellerton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rikard Redak, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Northern Ireland's Damian Ellerton played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dubravko Kitić in the 8th minute of play. Damian Ellerton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rikard Redak in the 15th minute of the match. Igor Dokoza showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Hamilton Tanner, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hamilton Tanner in the 17th minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Igor Dokoza to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Croatia booed when Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marc Adamson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Damian Ellerton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dubravko Kitić in the 19th minute of the match. In the 19th minute, Dubravko Kitić fired away a shot that was totally unreachable for Damian Ellerton. The ball ended up just outside the left post, and Croatia's manager could be seen angrily pacing the sidelines. When Northern Ireland's Kenneth Devine in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Croatia's goalie prevented a goal. The crowd rose to their feet as Croatia's Rikard Redak slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Damian Ellerton. That made the score 1-0 after 23 minutes of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Hamilton Tanner in the 26th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Igor Dokoza saved Croatia from getting behind. Damian Ellerton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dubravko Kitić, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 27th play minute Dubravko Kitić came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Damian Ellerton. 2-0. In the 31stth minute of the game Hamilton Tanner who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Croatia's Igor Dokoza was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Damian Ellerton was a little too slow when Rikard Redak got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 36th minute. The score was now 3-0. Paul Harty charged in rather forcefully in the 39th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Paul Harty the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Paul Harty hit a great freekick 39 minutes into the match.

Northern Ireland's Damian Ellerton played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Srećko Meter in the 53rd minute of play. Damian Ellerton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dubravko Kitić, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Damian Ellerton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rikard Redak, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. 59 minutes into the match, Northern Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Rikard Redak came free, but Damian Ellerton reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Srećko Meter's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Damian Ellerton was relentless in the 62nd minute of the game. When Joel Argent fell near the penalty area in the 63rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Northern Ireland's protests and gave Joel Argent a yellow card for diving instead. Croatia's August Sarač was substituted for Dubravko Kitić. Joel Argent hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. Srećko Meter took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 66th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Damian Ellerton. Northern Ireland's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers August Sarač in the 68th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Damian Ellerton saved Northern Ireland from getting behind. Albert Barač sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Damian Ellerton stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Srećko Meter's shot from short distance in the 74th minute. The audience was convinced that Srećko Meter's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Damian Ellerton was relentless in the 75th minute of the game. In the 77th minute, Srećko Meter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Northern Ireland's Vance Crossman was substituted for Kenneth Devine. Northern Ireland's Danny Glasby was substituted for Hamilton Tanner. Croatia made a substitution. Želimir Vučković replaced Srećko Meter. Damian Ellerton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from August Sarač, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Damian Ellerton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rikard Redak, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 85 played minutes Northern Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Joel Argent. The audience was convinced that Vance Crossman's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Igor Dokoza was relentless in the 87th minute of the game. Damian Ellerton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rikard Redak in the 89th minute of the match. Igor Dokoza showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Danny Glasby in the 95th minute of the match. The supporters of Croatia booed when Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 96 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mick Waite didn't get a good kick on the ball. Želimir Vučković sent away a hard shot on goal in the 97th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. For all the effort they put into the match, the Northern Ireland players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Croatia.