National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 5149 (Terracing: 3862, Seating: 1184, VIP seats: 103) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Mattias Pilgrim started the match with the kick off. Lilian Covali who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 6thth minute tested the skills of Den Swain when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Den Swain made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vlad Cotorobai in the 7th minute of play. 10 minutes into the match, U21 Luxembourg's goalkeeper Den Swain had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lilian Covali. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Lilian Covali in the 16th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Den Swain prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Ghitã Dumitras made a great header on U21 Moldova's corner, it was just that U21 Luxembourg's Den Swain managed to reach the ball for a save. When the match clock showed 21 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Lilian Covali sped through U21 Luxembourg's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Den Swain. U21 Luxembourg's Den Swain proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Luxembourg from getting a goal against them. The supporters of U21 Luxembourg booed when U21 Moldova was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 29 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ghitã Dumitras didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Moldova's Lilian Covali was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 31st play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. U21 Luxembourg's Den Swain played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vlad Cotorobai in the 40th minute of play. Den Swain stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Lilian Covali's shot from short distance in the 41st minute. In the 42nd minute, Vlad Cotorobai got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Lilian Covali charged in rather forcefully in the 44th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Lilian Covali the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to U21 Moldova getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Lilian Covali hit a great ball. Den Swain made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lilian Covali in the 47th minute. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Lilian Covali made a kick off. Den Swain showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lilian Covali in the 59th minute of the match. The U21 Moldova fans' excitement grew in the 65th match minute when U21 Moldova's Lilian Covali looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 3-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Through an outstanding action, after 73 minutes, Vadim Izãreanu successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. 75 minutes into the match, U21 Moldova's goal looked a bit too open when Mattias Pilgrim came free, but Vadim Izãreanu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lilian Covali's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Den Swain read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 81st minute of play. In the 83rd minute Lilian Covali shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Den Swain saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 91st minute Lilian Covali shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Den Swain saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Iurie Gusã hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. U21 Moldova's Ilie Spãtaru was substituted for Dan Papuc. A collision led to U21 Moldova getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Iurie Gusã hit a great ball. For all the effort they put into the match, the U21 Luxembourg players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for U21 Moldova.