Challenge

Marcelo A. Bielsa
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Alexander Palmer got the match started through his kick off. If Sigfrido Auletta had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 4th minute Zaccheo Andolina shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernabe Armani saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Alexander Palmer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Alexander Palmer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Porziano Marchitelli in the 11th minute of play forced Growlithe FC's goalkeeper Bernabe Armani to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bernabe Armani made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zaccheo Andolina in the 14th minute of play. The supporters of Growlithe FC booed when Italy was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Deodato Magliozzi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alexander Palmer could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Flavio Vittori made a huge save. Ahmet Baki Ulualp made a great header on Growlithe FC's corner, it was just that Italy's Flavio Vittori managed to reach the ball for a save. 32 minutes into the game, Italy's Porziano Marchitelli nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bernabe Armani made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Bernabe Armani took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zaccheo Andolina, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Zaccheo Andolina's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bernabe Armani read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 39th minute of play. Flavio Vittori made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alexander Palmer in the 40th minute. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

Italy's Siricio Liotta quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Benito Galeno, made in the 51st minute of the game. Bernabe Armani showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Zaccheo Andolina in the 52nd minute of the match. A hard shot 56 in the game by Zaccheo Andolina from a close distance when the talented Bernabe Armani managed to make a qualified save. Growlithe FC's players were relieved. Bernabe Armani took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zaccheo Andolina, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 63rd minute Zaccheo Andolina shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernabe Armani saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bernabe Armani took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Siricio Liotta, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Flavio Vittori didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Alexander Palmer went, in the 69th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. In the 73rd minute Zaccheo Andolina shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernabe Armani saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Barış Ziya sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Flavio Vittori showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ahmet Baki Ulualp in the 79th minute of the match. After some careless play in the Italy defense, Ahmet Baki Ulualp kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Flavio Vittori. The Italy fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Flavio Vittori should have stopped the shot. Italy's Sansone Vanella was substituted for Gianpaolo Mascari. Italy's Adriano Curto was substituted for Zaccheo Andolina. Italy's Guiscardo Davide was substituted for Sigfrido Auletta. 84 minutes had been played when some careless play by Italy's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Ahmet Baki Ulualp was slow to take the kick. During this time Growlithe FC's players had a chance to rest. In the 87th minute the ball was on its way in behind Growlithe FC's goalkeeper Bernabe Armani, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Italy's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Siricio Liotta in the 88th minute. Flavio Vittori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Barış Ziya, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Adriano Curto took the ball and in the 95 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Bernabe Armani. Bernabe Armani dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-3. Growlithe FC succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Italy had controlled the match.