U23 World League

Kleanthis Vikelidis
Spectators: 7669 (Terracing: 5752, Seating: 1764, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Giampaolo Pazzini took the kick off in the first half of the match. The supporters of Aris Salonicco FC booed when Tango en Miami FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Louie Arredondo didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Giampaolo Pazzini got free with Graig Davenport in the 3rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After taking down the ball on Aris Salonicco FC's corner Ermanno Baresi fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Graig Davenport quite easily take care of the ball. After some careless play in the Aris Salonicco FC defense, John Crabtree kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Fulvio Campese. The Aris Salonicco FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Fulvio Campese should have stopped the shot. 17 minutes into the match, Aris Salonicco FC's goal looked a bit too open when Graham Kearney came free, but Fulvio Campese reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Louie Arredondo made in the 19th minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by John Crabtree. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Norman in the 21st minute of play forced Aris Salonicco FC's goalkeeper Fulvio Campese to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Tango en Miami FC's Graham Kearney in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Aris Salonicco FC's goalie prevented a goal. Antonio Negri hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. If Giampaolo Pazzini had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fulvio Campese showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Graham Kearney in the 32nd minute of the match. In the 33rd minute, Enrico Cera hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a couple of smart ball manuevers John Crabtree in the 34th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fulvio Campese saved Aris Salonicco FC from getting behind. Graham Kearney's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Fulvio Campese read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 41st minute of play. In the 42nd minute John Crabtree shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fulvio Campese saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Louie Arredondo's late challenge caught a Aris Salonicco FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Louie Arredondo helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Tango en Miami FC's Louie Arredondo got a free kick in the 48th minute. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and John Crabtree made a kick off. In the 52nd minute, Bianco Pallini hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Alberto Norman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Tango en Miami FC's Graig Davenport played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giampaolo Pazzini in the 60th minute of play. 62 minutes into the match, Tango en Miami FC's goal looked a bit too open when Giampaolo Pazzini came free, but Graig Davenport reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tango en Miami FC's Graig Davenport played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giampaolo Pazzini in the 64th minute of play. In the 69th minute Graham Kearney shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fulvio Campese saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Tango en Miami FC's zone, Giampaolo Pazzini stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Graig Davenport came out of the goal and Giampaolo Pazzini tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Graig Davenport showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, who was totally free with the ball in the 77th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Armin Imperiale during the 79th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 78 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Aris Salonicco FC! Fulvio Campese had in the 81stth minute some difficulties stopping John Crabtree's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. After 82 minutes Aris Salonicco FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was John Crabtree who took care of the corner kick. After some careless play in the Tango en Miami FC defense, Giampaolo Pazzini kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Graig Davenport. The Tango en Miami FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Graig Davenport should have stopped the shot. Graham Kearney could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 90th minute of the match, but Fulvio Campese made a huge save. Giampaolo Pazzini scored 3-2 in the 91st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Graig Davenport, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The audience was convinced that Giampaolo Pazzini's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Graig Davenport was relentless in the 94th minute of the game. Graig Davenport showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, who was totally free with the ball in the 99th minute. When the referee blew the final whistle, Aris Salonicco FC could leave the field as winners, despite Tango en Miami FC having more of the ball for most of the match.