19.12.13

Girls' final: Real Madrid - Barcelona 1-1 (4-2)

Una straordinaria finale, l'ultima giocata dall'eccezionale Mallika, regala spettacolo ed emozioni alla folla gremita sulla terrazza dell'Ambrit. Da una parte l'imbattuto e tecnicissimo Barcelona, capace di infilare 5 vittorie e un pareggio; dall'altra il temibile Real Madrid, tutto cuore e impegno.
A decidere le sorti della partita, paradossalmente, due autoreti assai sfortunate, una nel primo tempo che ha illuso i tifosi blaugrana, l'altra nella ripresa che ha riacceso le speranze dei madrilisti.
Quale degna conclusione, se non i calci di rigore, per assegnare il titolo di campione?
Dal dischetto fatali gli errori di Lara e Mallika, ottime le parate di Lucrezia e Anastasia, e un titolo che finisce sulla bacheca delle blancos... almeno sino al prossimo anno!

Diverse giocatrici da citare, per impegno e determinazione, ma anche per qualità tecniche in costante crescita: Mallika e Giulia, anima delle due squadre; Anastasia e Lucrezia, sempre più sicure tra i pali; Carolina e Margarida, ormai qualcosa di più di giovani promesse; Francesca (HiiiiiiHOOO), Orsola, e Ginevra ormai certezze; Valentina e Angelica combattive come sempre.
Insomma: a Garda quest'anno c'è da credere in un buon piazzamento...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Francesca 4, Carolina 3, Mallika 3, Ginevra 1, Giulia 1, Lucrezia 1, Anastasia 1.

BOYS FINAL: Inter 6-1 Roma


A one-sided final was put beyond Roma’s reach in the second half when a dubious penalty gave Inter the chance to move into a 4-1 lead and they never looked back.
Inter went into an early lead when a long ball from Joao found Filippo behind the defense and he raced on to plant an accurate shot beyond Giacomo. Alex dF was denied an equalizer shortly afterwards when Christian made a good save and Joao was constantly alert to Marco’s runs. However he could do nothing when Alex’s cross came over, slightly behind Marco and forcing him to turn to hit the ball on the volley. He caught it sweetly and it flew past Christian: 1-1.
Inter came back again and Jacopo made some room for himself on the left before unleashing a well-placed shot past Giacomo to make it 2-1 just before half time.
In the second half, Roma almost equalized early on but Jacopo hooked the ball off the line. Filippo scored with another breakaway move and then Referee Corcoran awarded a penalty to Inter. Corcoran was convinced, but no one else seemed to be. Francesco Rughetti scored with the subsequent kick and Inter wrapped up the final with two more goals from Jacopo and Filippo.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Marco 6, Joao 6, Filippo 5, Jacopo 4, 

13.12.13

THIRD PLACE FINAL: Lazio 2-2 Milan (5-6 after penalties)

Today's third place final turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the thousands of spectators who flocked to Ambrit Stadium.
Lazio had the better of the early exchanges and Noah I put his team ahead when he stole a ball off Matteo in defense and shot past Michael in goal. Later in the first half, Finnian chopped down Noah I just outside the box. Tommaso V stepped up to hammer home the free kick and Lorenzo's men were smiling.
Early in the second half, Noah I had a chance to seal the victory but Michael made a great save to keep the score at 2-0. In attack for i rossoneri, Luca was always lively, Joshua was always dangerous, William was everywhere and the introduction at half time of Filippo C gave them an extra punch going forward.
But the goals wouldn't come.
Until finally Filippo, in possession in midfield, found the kind of defense-splitting pass that was needed to open up Lazio's solid defense. On the other end of the pass, Luca zipped in past two defenders and finished well: 2-1 with 4 minutes left.
When Milan won a corner on the right, there was one minute left and everybody knew that this was their last chance. Cometh the hour, cometh the man: when the ball floated over, it was deflected to the edge of the penalty aerea where William was waiting. As the ball fell to his feet, how many thoughts went through William's head... what if I hit it over? what if I hit it wide? what if I miss it altogether?
But he did none of those things. Instead he found the perfect shot on the volley to penetrate a sea of defenders and plug the ball into the back of the net!
In the penalty shoot-out, Alex in goal gave his team a glimmer of hope when he made a fantastic save off Filippo's attempt but, once again, William stepped up and hammered the final nail into Lazio's coffin.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: William 7, Tommaso 6, Riccardo 4, Finnian 2, Noah G 1, Michael 1

12.12.13

Real Madrid - Valencia 5-0

Vittoria senza discussioni per il Real Madrid, che - dopo la sconfitta d'esordio contro il Barcellona - si candida a ricoprire un ruolo da protagonista nel torneo femminile di quest'anno. La quadripletta del capitano madrileno viene completata da una rete dell'emergente Margarida: la "manita" distruggerà il morale valenciano? Speriamo di no, il campionato è ancora lungo...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Giulia 8, Margarida 3, Ran 2, Angelica 1, Lara 1, Ginevra 1, Lucrezia 1.

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Sevilla

Un gol di Giulia permette al Real Madrid di superare un buon Siviglia e volare verso la finale di giovedì prossimo, contro il favorito Barcelona di Mallika & Co.
Il Siviglia lascia pochi spazi, con una prestazione maiuscola di Celeste, Priscilla e Penelope, mentre a centrocampo la coppia Andrea-Orsola attua un pressing asfissiante. Tuttavia Giulia, nell'unica occasione concessale, scappa via sulla destra e da posizione defilata infila un'incolpevole Lucrezia, sempre più brava a organizzare la propria difesa.
Nel secondo tempo il Siviglia ha una ghiotta occasione per pareggiare i conti - meritatamente - ma il destro di Maria Flavia vola alto ben al di sopra della porta protetta da Anastasia.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Celeste 5, Priscilla 4, Andrea 3, Orsola 1, Penelope 1, Giulia 1

11.12.13

Valencia - Barcelona

Normale amministrazione per il Barcelona, che con una doppietta dell'imprendibile Mallika, stende il Valencia e porta a casa i tre punti in scioltezza.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Mallika 6, Francesca 1, Carolina 1, Maria 1, Ran 1, Sofia 1, Greta 1, Lara 1.

Roma 3-2 Milan

A plucky performance by i rossoneri wasn't enough to save them from the Ossicini-di Filippo axis, once again the determining factor and enough to send Roma into the final.
I giallorossi wasted no time, opening the scoring in the first minute when Michael did well to get his hands to Marco's shot but not well enough to keep it out. Luca carved himself a good chance to equalise but his shot from the left was high. Alex dF made it 2-0 from a corner and Roma looked to be well in control of the match.
But then Milan woke up, urged on by Luca's energy and Joshua's enthusiasm and insistence which was rewarded by a goal in the tenth minute. Nico then put a ball wide but Milan kept coming forward and Joshua played in Luca to make it 2-2. Alex dF could have made it 3-2 before half time but he shot straight at Michael.
Marco began the second half strongly again, hitting the post with a header. Luca had a good shot saved by Giacomo but it was Roma who found the winner half-way through the second half with, once again, Marco setting up Ale dF.
BEST PLAYER: Marco 9, Alex dF 2, Finnian 4, Luca dC 3, Andrew C 3

10.12.13

Inter 1-0 Lazio

Lazio had to settle for a place in the Third place final as Inter pulled out a solid performance to move into next week's final with a 1-0 win.
The only goal of the game came when Francesco Rughetti caught Ramnath napping in goal with a low shot from the right. Lazio had some chances to equalise before half time, the best of them falling to Noah G when he followed up Lorenzo's free kick and hit the bar with his shot. Inter might have made it 2-0 just before half time but Ramnath brought off a fantastic save when Jacopo shot from point-blank range.
Lazio kept possession for most of the second half but they couldn't score.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Riccardo 5, Ludo 5, Tommaso 2, Noah I 2, Joao 1, Jacopo 1, Noah G 1, Christian 1, Lorenzo 1, Francesco 1, Ramnath 1

6.12.13

St George's Girls' Tournament: under-11 section - 'A' team


The Primary Girls soccer team enjoyed a lovely Saturday by competing in a tournament organized by St. Georges. The girls played 4 games at first, with two wins and two losses. Lucrezia led the team goals, with some beautiful shots that went straight into the corners of the net and to the amazement of the crowd. Mia created many opportunities for her teammates and had plenty of assists and goals to prove it. Sophie showed a strong defense and Noor protected the goal with fierce determination. The fifth and final match against Ambrit Grade 6 decided that the Ambrit Primary girls would take home 4th place. The girls look forward to playing in the next tournament, where they are sure to continue their high spirits and skilled games.

4.12.13

Inter 4-4 Milan

A public starved of good football was treated to a feast of a match today as Milan resurrected themselves from a 1-4 deficit, scoring three goals in the last three minutes to grab a point and seal their third place finish in the group stages.
The action began in spectacular style when Stuart won a ball in midfield,looked up to see Michael off his line and lob in a beautiful shot to make it 1-0. Four minutes later, on the opposite side of the pitch, Jacopo spotted an opening and hammered in an equally spectacular goal to make it 2-0.
At the other end, Luca was causing havoc among the Inter defense but Joao was trying to keep him under control. Then Nico played a lovely pass to Filippo C on the right and Filippo reminded us what a good finisher he is: 2-1.
Then, just before half time, Stuart struck again with another thunderbolt from the left to make it 3-1 and Francesco R finished off a good passing move to make it 4-1 at half time, the final assist coming from Filippo G on the left.
In the second half, Milan poured forward but Christian made some very good saves. With three minutes to go, Filippo made it 2-4. Then a good passing movement finished with the ball in the air and Joshua fired it in with a spectacular bicycle kick.
With the crowd now on the edges of their seats, Milan surged forward with only seconds remaining. Joshua played the ball in from the right and there was Filippo C again to make it 4-4!
Semi-final pairings now decided: Lazio vs Inter; Roma vs Milan.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Ludovico 4, Stuart 4, Filippo C 3, William 2, Luca dC 2, Christian 2, Joshua 2, Matteo 1, Filippo G 1

3.12.13

Lazio 2-2 Napoli

Two goals from Mattia to open and close the scoring were not enough to prevent i partenopei from missing out on the semi-finals.
After Mattia's tenth minute goal, Lazio's equaliser came a minute later when Guerrino played Noah in and he was able to finish the move thanks also to Lucrezia's indecision.
In the second half, Lazio went ahead when Lorenzo played the ball to Noah on the right and then got forward to receive the return pass and score. Mattia equalised.
A sporting gesture by Lorenzo - allowing Lucrezia and Orsola play for Napoli - rewarded the spectators with two great performances from the girls.
BEST PLAYER: Lorenzo 5, Tommaso V 5, Noah G 5, Riccardo 2, Mattia 2, Guerrino 1, Emil 1

2.12.13

Barcelona 2 - 0 Valencia

Vittoria della squadra di vertice, ma tutt'altro che facile, data la strenua resistenza della difesa valenciana, con Sofia quasi invalicabile e Anastasia in grande crescita, autrice di almeno un paio di interventi miracolosi. Tuttavia la corazzata guidata da Mallika e ben coadiuvata da Francesca, Carolina e Valentina, alla lunga è riuscita ad avere la meglio, anche perché l'attacco del Valencia non è riuscito a produrre grandi pericoli alla difesa blaugrana.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Sofia 5, Anastasia 5, Mallika 3, Valentina 2, Carolina 2, Eilith 2, Francesca 1, Ran 1.

SGES Tournament U14 Section

Una bella mattinata di calcio alla scuola St. George's, in parte rovinata da un atteggiamento troppo aggressivo da parte delle ragazze di casa. Per fortuna la cosa non ha inciso troppo sul morale e sulla prestazione positiva della nostra squadra, brava a reagire in alcune situazioni, ancora troppo "buona" nel concedere alle avversarie occasioni per tirare in porta. L'assenza pesante di Chiara è stata molto ben compensata dalla prestazione molto buona di una Francesca in grande crescita. Peccato che l'ultimo (forse?) torneo della nostra Mallika non abbia coinciso con una bella vittoria!

AMBRIT vs SGES B 10-0 (M. Flavia 4, Mallika 2, Lara 2, Greta 2)
Una Maria Flavia ispiratissima trascina la sua squadra alla vittoria, contro una formazione giovane e inesperta; vittoria facile, in cui la difesa non corre rischi e Anastasia si abbronza per una mezz'oretta.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Maria Flavia
AMBRIT vs SGES A 3-5 (Giulia 3)
Bella partita, molto equilibrata soprattutto nel primo tempo, chiuso dall'Ambrit in vantaggio per 2-1. L'atteggiamento concentrato e aggressivo non regge anche nel secondo tempo, durante il quale l'Ambrit subisce troppo e finisce per concedere la vittoria alle avversarie.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Giulia
AMBRIT vs RIS 5-2 (Giulia 3, Lara, Greta)
Ottima reazione della squadra, dopo un iniziale svantaggio di 0-2. Ingresso decisivo di Valentina, Angelica e Francesca in difesa, ma soprattutto di una instancabile Mallika e di ottime giocate di Greta. Solita prestazione killer di Giulia, con un'altra tripletta.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Mallika

1st PLACE FINAL
AMBRIT vs SGES A 1-2 (Mallika)
Amara finale per l'Ambrit, dopo un bellissimo primo tempo molto ben giocato e chiuso sullo 0-0 (ma con troppe occasioni perse!). Nel secondo tempo la SGES ha messo la competizione sul piano fisico, con giocate troppo aggressive, al limite della violenza, riuscendo a forzare il gioco e trovando un uno-due micidiale. Inutile il gran gol finale di Mallika e i molti interventi prodigiosi di una rinata Lucrezia tra i pali. La vittoria è solo rimandata. Avanti così!
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lucrezia.