National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) With his leg Łukasz Polak managed to avoid a goal in the 3rdth minute, when U21 Ecuador's Cruz Basabe fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Cruz Basabe struck a weak shot in the 11th minute. Łukasz Polak didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Ecuador. Lisandro Sayavedra hit a great freekick 12 minutes into the match. Augusto Gaig stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Breccan McAaron's shot from short distance in the 15th minute. In the 16th minute, Bran McFrancise made a precise shot to the right of Augusto Gaig. U21 Ecuador's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Cruz Basabe blasted a shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Łukasz Polak having to make a save. When Rannal Mullan fell near the penalty area in the 21st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Ireland's protests and gave Rannal Mullan a yellow card for diving instead. After 21 played minutes U21 Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Rannal Mullan. Cruz Basabe who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 27thth minute tested the skills of Łukasz Polak when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Cruz Basabe sent away a hard shot on goal in the 30th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 34th minute of the game Rorry Delaney made a throw-in which Beglan Hamilton played forward. Cruz Basabe received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 35th minute. Łukasz Polak tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 37th minute, Alvaro Tejada hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Bran McFrancise hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. In the 44th minute Brian Callaghan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Augusto Gaig saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When the match clock showed 46 minutes, the score became 1-1 when Cruz Basabe sped through U21 Ireland's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Łukasz Polak. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Victorero to strike the kick off in the second half. Lisandro Sayavedra's late challenge caught a U21 Ireland's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Lisandro Sayavedra helped the player get up and apologised. Lisandro Sayavedra hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brian Callaghan in the 55th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Augusto Gaig saved U21 Ecuador from getting behind. 56 minutes into the match, U21 Ecuador's goalkeeper Augusto Gaig had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Breccan McAaron. In the 57th minute, U21 Ireland's Brian Callaghan dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-2. U21 Ireland made a substitution. Eoin O'Connell replaced Rannal Mullan. In the 66th minute U21 Ireland were awarded a corner. Donal Bayes went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on U21 Ireland's corner Donal Bayes fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Augusto Gaig quite easily take care of the ball. Begley Holt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Augusto Gaig tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. U21 Ireland's Łukasz Polak played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Franco Fernandes in the 70th minute of play. Augusto Gaig took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Begley Holt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 Ecuador's Augusto Gaig proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 78th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Ecuador from getting a goal against them. In the 80th minute, Daniel Victorero hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Daniel Victorero hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. Breccan McAaron's late challenge caught a U21 Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Breccan McAaron helped the player get up and apologised. After 83 played minutes U21 Ireland got a freekick which was hit by Breccan McAaron. A collision led to U21 Ecuador getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Maximo Yzarra hit a great ball. The U21 Ecuador fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. U21 Ireland were clearly better and deserved to take the win.