Challenge

Stadio Delle Aquile
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Carlo Borgatello started the match with the kick off. FC Aquile Azzurre's Carlo Borgatello got a good chance for a goal in the 3rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Italy's Donato Dossena quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Berislav Pais, made in the 8th minute of the game. 10 minutes into the match, FC Aquile Azzurre's goal looked a bit too open when Rui Costa came free, but Sabin Pânzaru reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 11th minute, Didi Ladron hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sabin Pânzaru took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rui Costa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rui Costa scored 0-1 in the 17th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Sabin Pânzaru, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After 26 played minutes FC Aquile Azzurre got a freekick which was hit by Amanda Almqvist. Bruno Antognoni showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Reg Weeks, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. The supporters of Italy booed when FC Aquile Azzurre was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 46 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adil Mahşer didn't get a good kick on the ball. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

FC Aquile Azzurre's Äliqulu Vermäliyev was substituted for Adil Mahşer. The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Armando Natalucci stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. If Rui Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Armando Natalucci in the 56th minute of play forced FC Aquile Azzurre's goalkeeper Sabin Pânzaru to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bruno Antognoni made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bel Cross in the 58th minute of play. 59 minutes into the match, Italy's goal looked a bit too open when Äliqulu Vermäliyev came free, but Bruno Antognoni reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of FC Aquile Azzurre booed when Italy was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 63 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristiano Cordone didn't get a good kick on the ball. Italy made a substitution. Flavio Miconi replaced Bar Olo. Italy's Cesare Maestri was substituted for Rui Costa. A collision led to Italy getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Cristiano Cordone hit a great ball. Äliqulu Vermäliyev took the ball and in the 68 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Bruno Antognoni. Bruno Antognoni dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. FC Aquile Azzurre's Filippo Massa was substituted for Carlo Borgatello. Bruno Antognoni showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Äliqulu Vermäliyev in the 77th minute of the match. Bruno Antognoni made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Filippo Massa in the 81st minute of play. 82 minutes into the match, Enzo Luongo dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Sabin Pânzaru, 1-2. Fulco Urra charged in rather forcefully in the 92nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fulco Urra the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. 92 minutes into the game, one of FC Aquile Azzurre:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. When the match had been going on for 94 minutes, Italy's Alessandro Mara got an opportunity to shoot a penalty. He stayed cool and waited for the goalkeeper to move, before he confidently shot the ball into the goal, to the left of Sabin Pânzaru. Bruno Antognoni came out of the goal in the 96th minute to try and stop a shot by FC Aquile Azzurre's Filippo Massa. But to his dismay, Filippo Massa quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-3. Italy's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.