Armata 5 - 0 inazuma (351163225)

The 2107 spectators at Armata Fiume Arena were in for an afternoon of sunshine. Oskar Noomen was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ingemar van Weeren and Edvard Davidsen. Armata tactics involved an interesting 4-4-2 combination. Lineup: Muratore - Favaro, Ianni, Loiacono, Samo' - Fagaraz, Sorgente, Friargiu, Fernandez - Del Pizzo, Falbo.

inazuma decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players had been chosen: Lipparini - Majer, Rumiati, Scalese, Fruet - Mazzarotto, Mezzatesta, Giberti, Menardo - Coppola, Meletti.

Pressing was the tactic of the day for Armata. M. Scalese's technique was perfect on this sunny day and led to some breathtaking tricks that bamboozled the defence. They were singing the praises of P. Del Pizzo 15 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 1 - 0 to Armata. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Armata to 2 - 0 as G. Falbo finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. 27 minutes into the match Armata's L. Sorgente head butted an opponent nastily, and so the referee sent him off immediately. A. Meletti of inazuma had to be helped off the pitch as an injury meant he was unable to finish the game. E. Casillo came in to finish the match. Armata's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. Cheers filled the stadium as M. Fagaraz broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 3 - 0 to Armata. The players of Armata now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. 3 - 0 was the halftime score. Armata enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 62 percent of possession.

T. Mezzatesta received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 63 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. Against a lesser team, inazuma could very well have succeeded with their smart indirect free kick routine after 74 minutes. A trio of passes took the ball all the way past the defenders, but by then the intended recipient was already blocked off and the keeper could make a leisurely save. Armata managed to extend their lead to 4 - 0 when D. Ianni cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. 79 minutes into the game, M. Fagaraz had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came A. Arzani. A. Arzani unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors' keeper did well to tip wide. After 83 minutes inazuma's M. Lipparini contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. 84 minutes into the match S. Favaro put Armata ahead 5 - 0 with a truly marvelous free kick. The pressing tactics used by Armata were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Armata had most of the ball, with 59 percent of possession.

Armata's top performer was clearly P. Del Pizzo. G. Muratore was a disappointment, however. M. Mazzarotto performed admirably for inazuma. E. Casillo turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 5 - 0.