Challenge

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Zaccheo Andolina took the kick off in the first half of the match. Flavio Vittori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Leszek Cupial, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 14 minutes of play, Sliema Dragons FC's Leszek Cupial made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Flavio Vittori was left in no man's land by his defense there! Porziano Marchitelli might have been able to make a better finish in the 17th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mike Axisa. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Porziano Marchitelli ran back to his position shaking his head. Sigfrido Auletta fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mike Axisa having to interfere. Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zaccheo Andolina in the 30th minute of play. 32 minutes into the match, Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Vittori had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Leszek Cupial. In the 37th minute the ball was on its way in behind Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Mike Axisa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Leszek Cupial fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Flavio Vittori having to interfere. In the 42nd minute Zaccheo Andolina shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mike Axisa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A sloppy throw-in by 周斐俊 in the 44th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Italy's Siricio Liotta. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The wind increased when Kim Bolas made the kick off in the second half. After 52 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by 周斐俊. Zaccheo Andolina recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 53rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Flavio Vittori didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Leszek Cupial went, in the 57th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-0 was the resulting score. When Porziano Marchitelli came up free with the goalie in the 61st minute, the Italy 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 Porziano Marchitelli couldn't finish the play. Sliema Dragons FC made a substitution. Selman Onkal replaced Ulises Ixidor. Sliema Dragons FC's Timmy Vallengren was substituted for Giovanni Demicoli. Leszek Cupial took the ball and in the 69 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Flavio Vittori. Flavio Vittori dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. A sloppy throw-in by Gianpaolo Mascari in the 74th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Sliema Dragons FC's Edinho de Queirós. Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zaccheo Andolina in the 77th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sigfrido Auletta in the 78th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Mike Axisa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Italy's Guiscardo Davide was substituted for Sigfrido Auletta. The supporters of Italy booed when Sliema Dragons FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gábor Illés didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a little luck, Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa got control of the ball when Porziano Marchitelli tried to sneak it across the goal line. Porziano Marchitelli kicked a quick shot right in front of the goal in the 84thth minute. Though ot was a great shot Sliema Dragons FC's keeper Mike Axisa was sill able to block leaving the score board unchanged. When Porziano Marchitelli, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 84 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Mike Axisa was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. Sliema Dragons FC were awarded a corner in the 87th minute after Italy's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Leszek Cupial took the corner. The corner led Sliema Dragons FC's Leszek Cupial to fire away a dangerous shot which Flavio Vittori despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gábor Illés in the 88th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Flavio Vittori prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Mike Axisa made a fantastic save in the 90th minute, when Adriano Curto sent off a good shot on target. Flavio Vittori made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Antonio Cioffi in the 91st minute of play. Leszek Cupial blasted a shot towards the goal in the 92nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Flavio Vittori having to make a save. When the referee blew the final whistle, Sliema Dragons FC could leave the field as winners, despite Italy having more of the ball for most of the match.