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 Rodney Cunningham took the kick off in the first half of the match. Ray Folwill made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dylan Van Bever in the 3rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mbaka Mbolu in the 12th minute of play forced Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Ray Folwill to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mbaka Mbolu scored 0-1 in the 14th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ray Folwill, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Manuel Campens made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bryan Hodgson in the 20th minute of play. 20 minutes into the game, Rodney Cunningham lined in a short shot 1-1 behind a frustrated Manuel Campens. In the 23rd minute Dylan Van Bever shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ray Folwill saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Manuel Campens made a fantastic save in the 24th minute, when Terry Mayfield sent off a good shot on target. Ray Folwill showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from William Andries, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. In the 27th match minute, Northern Ireland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dylan Browne to maneuver through the defense. In the 30th minute, William Andries left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Belgium fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. Northern Ireland were furious when Jim Mannell was red carded, 33 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. 39 minutes into the game, William Andries cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-4. Ray Folwill was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 1-4 lead.

After 50 played minutes Belgium got a freekick which was hit by Jean-Louis Ouaddou. Terry Mayfield received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 51st minute. Manuel Campens tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Manuel Campens made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bryan Hodgson in the 56th minute of play. 58 minutes had been played when some careless play by Belgium's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Dylan Browne was slow to take the kick. During this time Northern Ireland's players had a chance to rest. William Andries spun around in front of the goal 60 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of Northern Ireland's goal. Northern Ireland made a substitution. Ronny Theobold replaced Bryan Hodgson. Manuel Campens showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nathan Murray, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. In the 64th minute of the match Northern Ireland got a corner. Belgium's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Dylan Browne ran over to the corner to take the kick. It was a well-played corner which Neil Woodman managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. Ronny Theobold kicked well hit freekick during the 66th minute of the match. The supporters of Belgium booed when Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 67 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ronny Theobold didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Armand Steenberghs in the 68th minute of play forced Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Ray Folwill to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 70 minutes into the match, Armand Steenberghs had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ray Folwill. Northern Ireland's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Armand Steenberghs was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-5. Northern Ireland's Ray Folwill played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Armand Steenberghs in the 75th minute of play. Manuel Campens took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nathan Murray, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Northern Ireland's Ray Folwill played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Conny Komen in the 80th minute of play. Northern Ireland's Ray Folwill proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 91st minute of the match, managed to save Northern Ireland from getting a goal against them. Armand Steenberghs recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 93rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The supporters of Northern Ireland booed when Belgium was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 94 match minutes in a wonderful position. Conny Komen didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the match was over Belgium could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Northern Ireland throughout the match.