National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gordon Harkin kicked off to start the match. When Akis Bouzios came up free with the goalie in the 4th minute, the Cyprus 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 Akis Bouzios couldn't finish the play. 6 minutes into the match, Cyprus's goal looked a bit too open when Lúcio da Silva came free, but Thanos Saatsakis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ter Stegen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hektor Fitrakis in the 8th minute of the match. Ter Stegen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Akis Bouzios, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. 12 minutes into the match, Cyprus's goalkeeper Thanos Saatsakis had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Arnold McDecland. When Cyprus's Akis Bouzios in the 15th minute got a chance for a shot 15th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ireland's goalie prevented a goal. In the 16th minute Akis Bouzios shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ter Stegen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 18th minute, Ebelegbulam Hajto ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Thanos Saatsakis was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. After having played for 21 minutes, Giorgos Neymar managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cyprus's supporters crossed their fingers, but Giorgos Neymar was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ter Stegen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Akis Bouzios, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. Thanos Saatsakis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gordon Harkin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 31 minutes into the match, Ireland's goal looked a bit too open when Hektor Fitrakis came free, but Ter Stegen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice moves Arnold McDecland could shoot a difficult shot in the 36th minute, which Thanos Saatsakis however easily saved by the left post. In the 38th minute Hektor Fitrakis shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ter Stegen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 40thth minute of the game Akis Bouzios 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. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Akis Bouzios was the one to do the kick off. In the 54th minute Gordon Harkin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Thanos Saatsakis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Ireland's Gordon Harkin in the 57th minute got a chance for a shot 57th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cyprus's goalie prevented a goal. In the 62nd minute Akis Bouzios shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ter Stegen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Ireland getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Obielumani Krzynowek hit a great ball. After a rather tough play, Cyprus's Giorgos Neymar got a free kick in the 68th minute. The supporters of Cyprus booed when Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Obielumani Krzynowek didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gordon Harkin in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Thanos Saatsakis saved Cyprus from getting behind. The audience thought a goal was coming when Hektor Fitrakis got free with Ter Stegen in the 79th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Gary Neville got a throw-in 90 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Akis Bouzios. Lúcio da Silva kicked well hit freekick during the 94th minute of the match. Cyprus's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.