National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Danny Clegg took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eric Choupo-Moting in the 3rd minute of play forced U21 Costa Rica's goalkeeper Omar Volio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of U21 Costa Rica booed when U21 Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Billie Corrigan didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jack Nolan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kerry Flöter, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. Kerry Flöter received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Jack Nolan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 14th match minute, U21 Northern Ireland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Toby Coogan to maneuver through the defense. Jack Nolan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kerry Flöter in the 15th minute of play. U21 Costa Rica's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Rex Pineda in the 18th minute. A nice corner shot did that Rex Pineda got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Jack Nolan quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. After a rather tough play, U21 Northern Ireland's Billie Corrigan got a free kick in the 19th minute. U21 Northern Ireland's Billie Corrigan got his second yellow card of the match in the 23rd minute. The referee ordered Billie Corrigan off the ground. After 23 played minutes U21 Northern Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Billie Corrigan. Martin Picado made in the 26th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by U21 Northern Ireland's Eric Choupo-Moting. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Kerry Flöter during the 33rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 33rd minute, Kerry Flöter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Danny Clegg received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Omar Volio tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. U21 Northern Ireland's attentive Eric Choupo-Moting managed to snatch the ball when Martin Picado made a throw-in in the 46th minute of the game. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Kerry Flöter made a kick off. In the 51st minute, Eric Choupo-Moting hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jack Nolan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Clodomiro Morera in the 53rd minute of the match. Clodomiro Morera kicked well hit freekick during the 57th minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ed Bell during the 61st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 61 played minutes U21 Northern Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Ed Bell. U21 Northern Ireland made a substitution. Joseph Neill replaced Toby Coogan. U21 Northern Ireland's Keith Ripley was substituted for Eric Choupo-Moting. A collision led to U21 Costa Rica getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Kerry Flöter hit a great ball. In the 67th minute Clodomiro Morera shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jack Nolan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of U21 Northern Ireland booed when U21 Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Elbert Gudov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Daniel Hawkins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The supporters of U21 Northern Ireland booed when U21 Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Elbert Gudov didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Costa Rica made a substitution. Lucas Gamboa replaced Rex Pineda. After 82 played minutes U21 Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Elbert Gudov. Keith Ripley hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. Kerry Flöter blasted a shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jack Nolan having to make a save. Kerry Flöter could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 85th minute of the match, but Jack Nolan made a huge save. U21 Northern Ireland's Jack Nolan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kerry Flöter in the 87th minute of play. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.