National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 5149 (Terracing: 3862, Seating: 1184, VIP seats: 103) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Gustaf Broman started the match with the kick off. The supporters of U21 England booed when U21 Slovenia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Josip Ilič didn't get a good kick on the ball. Irfan Ljubec took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alastair Dunn, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Gustaf Broman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 10th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 16 minutes into the match, U21 Slovenia's goal looked a bit too open when Jools Holland came free, but Irfan Ljubec reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ashley Ross in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Irfan Ljubec prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 21st minute of the match U21 England got a corner. U21 Slovenia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Marc Armstrong ran over to the corner to take the kick. U21 England's Marc Armstrong was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Irfan Ljubec in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After 23 played minutes U21 England got a freekick which was hit by Adrian Moss. 24 minutes into the match, U21 Slovenia's goal looked a bit too open when Ashley Ross came free, but Irfan Ljubec reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to U21 Slovenia getting a freekick after 26 minutes play. Jožek Puš hit a great ball. U21 Slovenia's Irfan Ljubec played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alastair Dunn in the 28th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ashley Ross in the 30th minute of play forced U21 Slovenia's goalkeeper Irfan Ljubec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Irfan Ljubec took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jools Holland, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Phil Porter made a fantastic save in the 36th minute, when Gustaf Broman sent off a good shot on target. U21 Slovenia's Irfan Ljubec played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ashley Ross in the 37th minute of play. Irfan Ljubec showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jools Holland, who was totally free with the ball in the 42nd minute. When U21 England's Jools Holland in the 42nd minute got a chance for a shot 42nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Slovenia's goalie prevented a goal. In the 42ndth minute of the game Jools Holland who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Slovenia's Irfan Ljubec was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 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.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ashley Ross made a kick off. In the 56th match minute, U21 Slovenia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Loris Češnovar to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jools Holland in the 60th minute of play forced U21 Slovenia's goalkeeper Irfan Ljubec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Phil Porter took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gustaf Broman, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to U21 England getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. Ross Clark hit a great ball. Phil Porter took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Loris Češnovar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 England's Steve Walsh was substituted for Adrian Moss. Phil Porter took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andi Jovanović, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, U21 Slovenia's Irfan Ljubec got control of the ball when Matty Tinker tried to sneak it across the goal line. U21 Slovenia's Irfan Ljubec played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Matty Tinker in the 92nd minute of play. Dion Kerridge took the ball and in the 92 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Irfan Ljubec. Irfan Ljubec 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Conan Bourton in the 95th minute of play forced U21 Slovenia's goalkeeper Irfan Ljubec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. U21 Slovenia's defense didn't have a chance, in the 97th minute, when Matty Tinker scored to the left of an out of position Irfan Ljubec, making the score, 0-3.