Netherlands 5-1 Germany

 The grey skies were offset by the lively music at Ambrit Stadium today as Germany suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Dutch Masters.

The Netherlands began well; in the first minutes, Mattia was forced into a dangerous header that was nearly an own-goal; Anto shot over; then a nice passing move from Lorenzo to Francesco to Vittorio saw Holland go 1-0 up. Two minutes later, Francesco supplied another assist and Lorenzo put them 2-0 up. Lorenzo then went on a good run down the left but shot over. Germany's only decent attempt came when Remy passed to Daniele but Giovanni made a great save from the shot.

Lorenzo scored a third immediately after half time. Ale came on and pulled one goal back when Daniele passed to Mattia and his cross found Ale in the middle. But the Netherlands closed out the game with a well-taken goal from Francesco and the last of Lorenzo's hat-trick goals.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Francesco 6, Lorenzo 5, Remy 4, Vittorio 2, Aron 2, Giovanni 2, Adrian 1, Ruben 1, Antonio 1, Ben 1, Daniele B 1, Ale 1, Mattia 1

ACLI league: Ambrit 10-2 Forte Bravetta

 It was a pleasant day at the Ambrit fortress. A relaxing 10-2 win breaks the three-game losing streak, raising morale, with hopes of reclaiming our first place spot. Down to nine men, Ambrit would need to step up and deliver superior performances to make up for the empty bench. Ambrit cruised to 1-0 with an easy tap-in by Mattia, soon doubled up by a nicely placed shot by Alberto. Two early goals in and the Ambrit roster seemed more motivated than ever. Giorgio, Albi (twice more), Santiago, Bernardo, Pedro, Zach, and Theodor added to the score-sheet, none but Jonah missing out. Forte Bravetta never gave up though, with them slotting in two compensation goals.

On top of his game today

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Germany 1 - 2 Brazil

In a tense game at Ambrit Stadium today, Santiago tipped the balance with a beautifully-struck shot from the right wing that flew past the goalkeeper.

It was Germany who had taken the lead though when Daniele skipped past two defenders to score. Mattia was always dangerous too; fast and brave but his shooting let him down. Ale was in and out of the game but always dangerous when in possession: his first shot struck the post and he made a good dribbling run down the centre but was caught by Santiago just as he was winding up for a shot. Then, in the dying moments of the first period, Brazil equalised when Marco's shot was saved by Adrian but the rebound fell to Louis.

Period 2 was quiet. Shots from Marco at one end and Ale at the other and one outstanding save by Adrian.

In period 3, Mattia was at it again: making chances but not finishing. Brazil claimed to have taken the lead when Santiago's throw was touched by Theo on its way into the goal, but the VAR replays showed that the ball had already crossed the line. But there was no arguing about Santiago's winning goal.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Ale 4, Daniele B 4, Santiago 4, Theo 3, Louis 2, Adrian 2, Marco 2, Daniel 2, Mattia 2, Adam 1, Jonah 1, Harshjot 1

YELLOW: Louis & Marco

RECUPERO!!!! Tomorrow (Wed 23 March): BRAZIL - GERMANY

Belgium 1-0 Spain

 After his recent heroics, the absence of Seb from Spain's line-up was a demoralising blow and, with Daniele P out of action too, Maya was drafted in to bolster the defence. Belgium too were short-handed and ace goalkeeper Myla helped out. Early on Gianmarco made a good run on the right, played a great ball across the area but Emilio shot wide. The vocal crowd was roaring for a penalty a while later but the referee waved away all appeals. As Belgium increased the frequency of their attacks, Matteo was a rock in defence, using head, foot, chest to clear everything: he managed some good runs and some good passes too. 

In the second half, shots from Adriano and Emilio were wide. Belgium put some good moves together; one move involved Alberto to Bertie to Alberto to Carl but the final shot was high. A goal eventually came. Giorgio fired a rocket, Adriano headed it bravely and the ball fell to Bertie who buried the shot.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Matteo 5, Trym 2, Maya 2, Leo 2 Alberto 2, Adriano 2, Ralf 2,  Carlo 2, Cameron 1, Oliver 1, Bertie 1, Emilio 1, Gianmarco 1,  Hugo 1, Giorgio 1,  Tommaso 1 Myla 1

Bolivia 1-1 Mexico

A packed Ambrit stadium was treated to a hard fought and close game between Bolivia and Mexico. The Bolivians had to face the American derby without their captain, who was ably substituted at the last second by Adriana,  they were also handicapped at the start of the game as Bianca, one of the pillars of their defence was not able to start the game. The Mexicans who arrived in full strength seemed ready to take the match by storm but they were put on the back foot as the combination of Camila and Aurora dominated the middle of the pitch for Bolivia , they fought hard for the ball and their passing and movement made it very difficult for the Mexicans to get a foot in the game. However, solid defending from Freydis, Clara and Ella along with the steady reassurance of Myla in goal meant that for all their pressure, La Verde could not break the deadlock.

The second period started with a resurgence from the Central Americans, they pushed forward with good interplay between Emma and Clara with Sara making constant dangerous runs behind the defence. In the end, this pressure paid off when Sara in a burst of dazzling solo skill was able to cut through the defence and put the ball past Olivia to put Mexico 1 up.

Their lead was not to last though, the response from Bolivia was immediate and sustained. Buoyed by the return of Bianca at the back, Camila and Vittoria were able to once again push forward and in the end Aurora put an excellent shot past Myla to level the game. The final period of the game was a hard fought struggle for supremacy with neither side able to gain ascendancy and in the end the match finished 1-1.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Sara 5, Camila 4, Aurora 4, Vittoria 3, Emma 3, Myla 2, Clara 1, Bianca 1, Lavinia 1

Brazil 0-0 Netherlands

 With their expensive acquisition from the January transfer window restricted to the sidelines because of a recent red card, Brazil were clearly set up in defensive mode today and will be delighted with a valuable point. The Dutch players looked a little rusty at the start; twice Lorenzo was caught on the back foot when passes from Vittorio and Ben looked to set him up for a shot. He did get two shots away in the first period but neither troubled Daniel unduly.

The best chance of the second period fell to Vittorio early on at the far post, but his shot was timid and saved by Louis. Now Marco's running and effort for the Brazilian midfield began to pay off. He kept the Dutch defence occupied and shot over the bar once, and then wide.

Antonio added some spark to the Dutch team in period 3 and, together with Vittorio created some good chances, but no goals. One good chance fell to Vittorio but Alex made a great block.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Louis 4, Marco 3, Michael 3, Vittorio 3, Nicholas 2, Bernardo 2, Giovanni 2, Jonah, Lorenzo, Antonio 2, Daniel 2, Ben, Alex, Sam

ANSPI league (200-2010): Ambrit 2-2 Sam89

 Ambrit picked up another hard-earned point after a closely-fought encounter at Ambrit Stadium today against an opposing team that improved as the game went on. All in all, a fair result.

In the first period, Ambrit's organisation and their fierce tackling in midfield - led by an in-form Aurora - saw them push their opponents back for most of the period and the reward came when Ben poked a shot home from 20 meters out with a well-aimed strike into the bottom corner.

A tiger in midfield today!

In the second period, Sam89 poured forward, but Trym and Giulio played very well in defense today and kept them out; Ambrit went in for the second break still leading 1-0.

In period 3, Diego continued to harass the Sam defence. Twice he came close - once with a header, then with a shot - before he finally did add a second goal for Ambrit with a fantastic header past a helpless goalkeeper. But now Sam89 decided it was 'all-or-nothing' and they came forward with abandon. They scored first with a well-disguised shot from outside the area that sent Vittorio the wrong way, and then they equalised when hesitancy in the Ambrit defence opened the door. 

TEAM: Vittorio, Trym, Giulio, Ben, Sara, Aurora, Ruben, Oliver, Diego, Gabriele.

ACLI league (2007/2008): Ambrit 4-4 Miracoli

 Miracoli indeed! The biggest miracle today was how the visitors escaped with a point after a game dominated by Ambrit, who managed to return today to something like their best form.

After dominating the early exchanges, with Pedro shooting wide off an Ale assist and Zach unable to finish a move involving Pedro and Ale in the build-up, Miracoli broke away and scored. The equaliser wasn't long coming though - Ale finishing, after a good pass from Pedro. The game was finely balanced now, but the balance was tipped in the visitors' favour by an Ambrit team that stood off the ball and waited for things to happen rather than taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Two quick goals stunned the Ambrit boys and the atmosphere was tense at half-time.

On target - three goals today!

In the second half, Ambrit's attacking play improved. Santi was now raiding on the left, Emilio on the right and it was Santi's pass that set up Pedro for the next goal: 2-3. Ambrit now had the momentum and should have equalised when the ball was pinging around in a crazy goal-mouth scramble. Ambrit then equalised and went ahead in the space of two minutes, both goals from Ale. He forced one over the line with his head and banged the other in with a left-foot drive. Suddenly the three points were within our grasp but, with just one minute to play, Miracoli ha fatto il miracolo. From a corner on the right, the ball was cleared to the edge of the penalty area and the Miracoli captain scored with an incredibe bicycle kick from the edge of the area. Niente da fare.

Argentina 2-2 Spain

 A packed Ambrit Stadium was treated to the best match of the tournament so far as Spain came from behind to grab a well deserved point from a stunned Argentina.

The first action of the game said a lot about what would follow: Pedro, who played very well today, found space for a shot but Seb made a fine save... the first of many saves from Seb, who left the arena to thunderous applause after an paralleled display of goalkeeping prowess. However, he was beaten shortly afterwards when Dylan threaded a precise pass to Pedro who found the right angle this time. Shortly afterwards, it was those two again... another Pedro shot, another fantastic save from Seb. And then Argentina went 2-0 up. Pedro was involved again, this time slipping an assist to Adam who shot immediately and gave Seb no chance.

In the second period, nothing much changed. Argentina continued to dominate but Seb kept Spain in the game. Two more show-stopping interventions - one from Adam at the start of period 2, another from Zach at the end.

Spain were still trailing 0-2 as period 3 began, but the turning point was supplied by Cameron. He took possession in midfield and, surrounded by three defenders, managed to find Gianmarco on the right with a perfect pass. Gianmarco controlled, shot, scored! Game on!! Gianmarco then had another chance soon after as Argentina struggled to recover their momentum, but Lucas saved well. Now Spain were in control and Daniele P was making a difference in midfield. And what a difference! Receiving the ball just in from the half-way line, he spotted Lucas out of position and launched a well-judged lob over his head and into the back of the net. 2-2!

Argentina woke up again and attacked desperately for the last minutes, but Seb made another pair of saves and Spain celebrated a fine comeback as Argentina wondered where it had all gone wrong.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Seb 8, Pedro 4, Dylan 3, Hugo 3, Emilio 2, Cameron 2, Daniele P 2, Gianmarco 1, Adam 1, Zach 1, Ralf 1

Mexico 1-0 Australia

 Il Messico 🇲🇽  continua la sua cavalcata trionfale verso la finale, con una vittoria di misura sull'Australia  🇦🇺 combattiva ma poco pericolosa e rimane in testa a punteggio pieno. Il mix di esperienza (Emma), tecnica (Sara) entusiasmo (Clara/Ella) e solidità difensiva (Myla) ha reso imbattibile finora questa squadra, che con l'innesto di Freydis sembra davvero imperforabile.

L'Australia, con l'infortunata Athena ben sostituita da Adriana, ha giocato a sprazzi, senza un'organizzazione precisa e un punto di riferimento in attacco. In porta Martina ha salvato il salvabile, arrendendosi solo al tiro imparabile di Sara verso la fine del primo tempo.

Ancora tutta da giocare la corsa al secondo posto, anche se - con questa sconfitta - per l'Australia si fa veramente molto dura...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Sara 3, Emma 2, Martina 2, Isabel 2, Adriana 1, Clara 2, Ella K 2, Abby 1.

Germany 6-1 Italy

 Una sconfitta dura, di quelle che abbatte il morale, per l'Italia, ancora a secco di punti, per merito di un'ottima Germania, molto tecnica, veloce e ben organizzata. 

Eppure qualcosa si può dire sulle ragazze che, a parte l'eccezionale prova di Myla tra i pali e di Maya in difesa, hanno dato la sensazione di non saper essere aggressive, di perdere facilmente la posizione e di non averci provato davvero fino in fondo. Coraggio! Se non ci credete voi??!!!

Tra i Tedeschi ottime le prestazioni di tanti, da Theo in difesa a Daniele in attacco, da Alessandro a Mattia in centrocampo: difficile opporsi alla squadra favorita per la vittoria finale, al gioco veloce con palla a terra. Bravi! Queste partite dovrebbero insegnarvi che per giocare bene a calcio - sport DI SQUADRA - serve passare spesso e non tenere troppo il pallone.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Myla 4, Maya 3, Mattia 3, Theo 3, Daniele B 3, Ale 3, Alice 1.

Monteverde 4-2 Ambrit

Some games are won, some games are lost and some games - like this one - are just thrown away. Having survived some early pressure, Ambrit took hold of the game and Bernardo shot just over the bar. Mattia then hit the post with a good header off a Giorgio corner and Ambrit took the lead when another corner from Giorgio found its way into the back of the net. A touch of luck, but a deserved lead. Monteverde almost equalised immediately but Santiago made a great save... but then the Monteverde equaliser came almost immediately. Before half time though, a long ball was cleverly controlled by Zach, who drew two defenders and set Mattia up for an accurate strike into the corner: 2-1 at half-time.

Gave the opposition defence no peace
in the first half

The second half was another story. Monteverde took over and almost equalised but Giorgio made a miraculous clearance off the line (Giorgio had another great game today). Bernardo cleared another one off the line: Monteverde were getting closer and closer! They did equalise when a lack of communication in the Ambrit defence allowed the ball through to the striker. He finished clinically and then another mistake in defence - a ball that could have been cleared three times but was allowed to bounce around the penalty area - put the home side 3-2 ahead. Ambrit's desperate attempts to find an equaliser left them open to the counter attack, and the final goal sealed a black period for Ambrit, taking just one point from a possible 9.

And a HUGE thank you to all the supporters who turned up today!

TEAM: Santiago, Carlo, Theo, Giorgio, Bernardo, Emilio, Mattia, Zach, Bertie, Jonah

Argentina 2-0 Belgium

Zach's throw-in was the key to Argentina's victory today. In the first period, he found Dylan who guided the ball in with a cheeky back-heel to make it 1-0 and then he found Pedro's head to make it 2-0. For Belgium, Giorgio fired in some good shots but Lucas was equal to everything, even if some sections of the crowd insisted that the ball had crossed the line on one occasion as Lucas swept it out. Leo's wild clearance awarded a penalty to Argentina but Ben pulled the kick wide.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Zach 4, Giorgio 3, Dylan 3, Rocco 2, Cosimo 2, Leo 2, Pedro 2, Lucas 2, Ben 1, Tiago 1, Diego 1, Vincent 1, Gabriele 1, Carlo 1, Bertie 1, Adam 1

Mexico 4-0 Australia

 L'Australia 🇦🇺  sbaglia completamente formazione e approccio alla gara, regalando al Messico 🇲🇽 un vantaggio iniziale che diventa poi irrecuperabile. Brava la formazione capitanata da Myla a sfruttare le occasioni e a non perdere compattezza, puntando forte su una Sara incontenibile, ormai lanciata in cima a tutte le classifiche, e alla velocità di Emma e Clara.

La squadra di Athena ha via via perso brillantezza e non ha più creduto nella rimonta, senza lo spirito combattivo di Isabel - infortunata - e con poca organizzazione in campo. Non tutto è perduto per l'Australia, mentre il Messico viaggia fortissimo verso la finale.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Sara 6, Emma 3, Alice 2, Athena 2, Myla 2, Abby 2, Martina 1, Clara 1.

Borgo Palidoro 3-1 Ambrit

 The struggle for first place continues with Palidoro winning this return match after Ambrit had triumphed earlier in the year by 4-3. Ambrit's recent results are now coming back to haunt them. After a 100% record before Christmas, two defeats and a draw since then means that the title race is wide open.

Last night's match was a tough one indeed, on a very difficult pitch. Not only for the loose gravel surface, but also for the goals that were smaller than usual and a pitch that was narrow. Still, we did have some early chances and, had Santiago's shot after just 3' gone in rather than bouncing back from the bar, things might have been different. Instead, Palidoro began to gain ground and push us back further and further. Theo was forced into a series of saves and then Palidoro scored from a good header off a corner on the left. Ambrit were now struggling, playing on the break, but Vittorio did get a good shot in from distance that shaved the post. Just before half-time, Palidoro won possession close to goal and hammered home a second.

Snuffed out the opposition's main threat

Things looked bleak, but Ambrit showed a very good reaction in the second half. Giorgio scored a fantastic goal, cutting in from the left and unleashing an unstoppable shot to make it 2-1. Jonah came on and neutralised Palidoro's best player; Mattia and Emilio added some lucidity and some better passing to Ambrit's attacking moves. But the clock was running down and, apart from a couple of half-chances, Ambrit's efforts were fruitless. Palidoro added a late third goal.

Argentina 2 - 0 Italy

 Ancora una prestazione generosa per le azzurre, ancora una sconfitta.

Le ragazze hanno avuto un ottimo atteggiamento in campo, almeno fino al secondo gol, ma hanno faticato a trovare la posizione in campo e non sono riuscite a sfruttare le opportunità (poche) concesse dai sudamericani. L’Argentina da parte sua ha offerto una prestazione solida, con le idee chiare e con qualche vezzo di troppo. Sono bastati due tiri da fuori, uno di Adam e l'altro di Zach, per sistemare il punteggio finale e assicurarsi i tre punti.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:

Camila 5, Sara 5, Maya 4, Dylan 3, Zac 3, Adam 2, Pedro 1, Bianca 1, Carolina 1, Myla 1.