National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Moldova's Mihail Pânzaru started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Moldova's Mihail Pânzaru in the 3rd minute got a chance for a shot 3rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ireland's goalie prevented a goal. George Buturugã showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gordon Harkin, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. Ter Stegen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mihail Pânzaru, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. 7 minutes into the game, Emmet McAaron threw the ball into play from the sideline. Moldova's Teodor Cãpraru quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Ghitã Pârlea fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ter Stegen having to interfere. When Arnold McDecland came up free with the goalie in the 14th minute, the Ireland fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Arnold McDecland couldn't finish the play. After having played for 18 minutes, Lúcio da Silva managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ireland's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lúcio da Silva was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Emmet McAaron got a throw-in 20 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Gordon Horgan. George Buturugã was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Gordon Harkin showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 22 minute of play. After a rather tough play, Moldova's Iurie Macovei got a free kick in the 27th minute. In the 29th minute, Gordon Harkin made a precise shot to the right of George Buturugã. Moldova's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. Ter Stegen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mihail Pânzaru in the 32nd minute of the match. 34 minutes into the match, Ireland's Lúcio da Silva sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that George Buturugã narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 36thth minute of the game Mihail Pânzaru who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ireland's Ter Stegen was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Ghitã Pârlea's late challenge caught a Ireland's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ghitã Pârlea helped the player get up and apologised. George Buturugã acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 38th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Lúcio da Silva. In the 40thth minute of the game Mihail Pânzaru who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ireland's Ter Stegen was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ovidiu Buturugã in the 43rd minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Ter Stegen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gordon Harkin stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Emmet McAaron made in the 55th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Gordon Horgan however managed to control. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lúcio da Silva in the 58th minute of play forced Moldova's goalkeeper George Buturugã to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gordon Harkin fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 60th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without George Buturugã having to interfere. If Ovidiu Buturugã had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ruslan Izmanã kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. Moldova made a substitution. Emilian Braga replaced Emil Gonta. After a rather tough play, Moldova's Ruslan Izmanã got a free kick in the 72nd minute. Ter Stegen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ovidiu Buturugã in the 80th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lúcio da Silva in the 83rd minute of play forced Moldova's goalkeeper George Buturugã to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 86 minutes into the match, Moldova's goal looked a bit too open when Gordon Harkin came free, but George Buturugã reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 89 minutes into the match, Moldova's goal looked a bit too open when Gordon Harkin came free, but George Buturugã reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 90th minute, Ebelegbulam Hajto hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Ruslan Izmanã had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Moldova's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.