U23 World League

Kleanthis Vikelidis
Spectators: 7742 (Terracing: 5808, Seating: 1780, VIP seats: 154) Felice Brandolini showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Manuel Paiva in the 2nd minute of the match. After having played for 13 minutes, Giampaolo Pazzini managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Aris Salonicco FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Giampaolo Pazzini was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 17 played minutes Aris Salonicco FC got a freekick which was hit by Amerigo Nola. Felice Brandolini showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nilson Hoffmann, who was totally free with the ball in the 18th minute. In the 19th match minute, Aris Salonicco FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Giampaolo Pazzini to maneuver through the defense. 21 minutes into the match, Aris Salonicco FC's goal looked a bit too open when Hélder Pinho came free, but Felice Brandolini reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 23 minutes into the match, Aris Salonicco FC's Giampaolo Pazzini sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Hu Zhen Hong narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Aris Salonicco FC were awarded a corner in the 24th minute after A A Arizona's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Ermanno Baresi took the corner. Ermanno Baresi made a great header on Aris Salonicco FC's corner, it was just that A A Arizona's Hu Zhen Hong managed to reach the ball for a save. Hu Zhen Hong 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 29th minute. After a rather tough play, Aris Salonicco FC's Ermanno Baresi got a free kick in the 31st minute. Felice Brandolini didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Hélder Pinho went, in the 34th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. After 38 minutes of play, Aris Salonicco FC's Giampaolo Pazzini made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Hu Zhen Hong was left in no man's land by his defense there! Giampaolo Pazzini received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Hu Zhen Hong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Federico Cardano sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Hu Zhen Hong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Giampaolo Pazzini struck a weak shot in the 58th minute. Hu Zhen Hong didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Aris Salonicco FC. In the 63rd match minute, A A Arizona was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Valério Paranaense to maneuver through the defense. Hu Zhen Hong made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Giampaolo Pazzini in the 64th minute of play. Hu Zhen Hong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Federico Cardano, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Felice Brandolini made an important save on a dangerous shot by Valério Paranaense in the 71st minute. Federico Cardano received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Hu Zhen Hong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 76th minute, Giampaolo Pazzini ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Hu Zhen Hong was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-1. Ronaldinho Cruz could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 87th minute of the match, but Felice Brandolini made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Antonio Negri in the 88th minute of play forced A A Arizona's goalkeeper Hu Zhen Hong to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hu Zhen Hong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Hu Zhen Hong showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Federico Cardano in the 94th minute of the match. Felice Brandolini made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Valério Paranaense in the 96th minute of play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Aris Salonicco FC fans cheered their team off the field, for while A A Arizona had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.