League

Phoenix Arena
Spectators: 7989 (Terracing: 5993, Seating: 1837, VIP seats: 159) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Cristoforo Pierdomenico started the match with the kick off. With a little luck, Saima FC's Dario Apolloni got control of the ball when Cristoforo Pierdomenico tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Cristoforo Pierdomenico had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Dario Apolloni made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Roldán Barcelo in the 10th minute of play. After 14 minutes of play, Phoenix Suns's Cristoforo Pierdomenico made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dario Apolloni was left in no man's land by his defense there! Amos Lusi's late challenge caught a Phoenix Suns's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Amos Lusi helped the player get up and apologised. Phoenix Suns's Cristiano Lepori was substituted for Cristoforo Pierdomenico. A collision led to Saima FC getting a freekick after 19 minutes play. Amos Lusi hit a great ball. Dave Tenaglia fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 21st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alvise Marsilio having to interfere. Dario Apolloni made an important save on a dangerous shot by Hillar Rahkema in the 23rd minute. After 25 played minutes Saima FC got a freekick which was hit by Amos Lusi. Phoenix Suns's Alessio Gallucci got a good chance for a goal in the 25th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cristiano Lepori received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Dario Apolloni came out and tried to block the shot, but Cristiano Lepori slotted it home off the left post making it 3-0 in the 27th minute. After 31st play minutes Roldán Barcelo shot 4-0, a short shot which went by Dario Apolloni and just under the crossbar into goal. Dario Apolloni made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristiano Lepori in the 35th minute. 36 minutes into the match, Roldán Barcelo dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Dario Apolloni, 5-0. After a defensive mix-up in Saima FC's zone, Cristiano Lepori stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dario Apolloni came out of the goal and Cristiano Lepori tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dario Apolloni showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hillar Rahkema in the 41st minute of the match. Dario Apolloni took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alessio Gallucci, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 43 minutes into the match, Roldán Barcelo notched a goal, 6-0, to the right of Saima FC's Dario Apolloni. Dario Apolloni was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Dario Apolloni came out of the goal in the 48th minute to try and stop a shot by Phoenix Suns's Hillar Rahkema. But to his dismay, Hillar Rahkema quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 7-0. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 7-0.

The wind increased when Alessandro Tacco made the kick off in the second half. Cristiano Lepori 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. After 54 minutes of play, Phoenix Suns's Roldán Barcelo made it 8-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dario Apolloni was left in no man's land by his defense there! Dario Apolloni stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Roldán Barcelo's shot from short distance in the 60th minute. The supporters of Phoenix Suns booed when Saima FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Amos Lusi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Cristiano Lepori recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 63rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cristiano Lepori in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dario Apolloni saved Saima FC from getting behind. 71 minutes into the game, Phoenix Suns's Hillar Rahkema nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dario Apolloni made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 9-0. Dario Apolloni took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Roldán Barcelo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dario Apolloni showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roldán Barcelo, who was totally free with the ball in the 76th minute. 78 minutes into the match, Saima FC's goal looked a bit too open when Pablo Aimar came free, but Dario Apolloni reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dario Apolloni showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Roldán Barcelo in the 78th minute of the match. Dario Apolloni took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hillar Rahkema, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Pablo Aimar charged in rather forcefully in the 80th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Pablo Aimar the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Pablo Aimar hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. In the 82nd minute Roldán Barcelo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dario Apolloni saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Dario Apolloni took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Roldán Barcelo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 87th minute, Cristiano Lepori ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Dario Apolloni was frozen by the shot and now it was 10-0. Cristiano Lepori sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Roldán Barcelo scored 11-0 in the 92nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Dario Apolloni, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 95 minutes into the game, Phoenix Suns's Cristiano Lepori nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dario Apolloni made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 12-0. Phoenix Suns walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.