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 Jokin Cabuerniga took the kick off in the first half of the match. 16 minutes into the match, U21 Northern Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Iratzeder Melendo came free, but Jack Nolan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Azubeli Gimilio made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Andy Sharpe in the 17th minute of play. 18 minutes into the match, U21 Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Keith Ripley came free, but Azubeli Gimilio reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of U21 Venezuela booed when U21 Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Keith Ripley didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jack Nolan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Papo Fortea in the 22nd minute of play. In the 25th minute, Iaki Albizua made a precise shot to the right of Jack Nolan. U21 Northern Ireland's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Montrel Loyas's late challenge caught a U21 Northern Ireland's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Montrel Loyas helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, U21 Venezuela's Montrel Loyas got a free kick in the 33rd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Iratzeder Melendo in the 37th minute of play forced U21 Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Jack Nolan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 41 minutes into the match, Iaki Albizua had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jack Nolan. U21 Northern Ireland's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Iaki Albizua was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

In the 53rd minute, Papo Fortea ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Jack Nolan was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-3. Jack Nolan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Iaki Albizua in the 61st minute. U21 Northern Ireland's Jack Nolan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jokin Cabuerniga in the 62nd minute of play. Jack Nolan didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 62nd minute, which inside left pole to 0-4. U21 Northern Ireland made a substitution. Danny Clegg replaced Keith Ripley. After a rather tough play, U21 Northern Ireland's Danny Clegg got a free kick in the 66th minute. 68 minutes into the match, Danny Clegg notched a goal, 1-4, to the right of U21 Venezuela's Azubeli Gimilio. Azubeli Gimilio was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The audience thought a goal was coming when Iratzeder Melendo got free with Jack Nolan in the 76th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. U21 Northern Ireland's Jack Nolan proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 79th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Northern Ireland from getting a goal against them. In the 83rd minute, Miro Tubia hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to U21 Northern Ireland getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Daniel Hawkins hit a great ball. U21 Venezuela's Azubeli Gimilio played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ed Bell in the 90th minute of play. Jack Nolan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Iratzeder Melendo, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. Azubeli Gimilio showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ed Bell in the 94th minute of the match. U21 Venezuela played a much better game than U21 Northern Ireland and deserved their victory. The U21 Northern Ireland players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.