ALSI League (2007/2008) - Quarter Final: Ambrit 2-0 Simplicitas

 A good all-round team performance saw Ambrit through to a semi-final confrontation with Monteverde after a match in which this season's progress and improvement on the pitch were tangible. Santiago took over in goal and his competent performance spread confidence to the rest of the team. Theo played in defence and played very well, suggesting that this might be the way to go in the semi-final. Vittorio and Giorgio completed the starting defence and the opposition were limited to very few chances. Bernardo started in midfield and was very lively. An early shot went wide and an early header went just over the bar but Bernardo popped up on the left after 12 minutes to score the opening goal, with a little help from a deflection, from a defender and from the crossbar... but they all count! Alberto played in the middle of midfield; he kept the big n.21 under control and he directed Ambrit's attack into all available channels with a shrewd eye. Ale supported Zach up front; he wasn't shooting as well as usual but he kept the defenders busy nonetheless, as indeed did Zach. In the second half, Alberto set up Zach for the second goal. Mattia came in and played some good combinations down the left. Simplicitas switched their goalkeeper and were suddenly more dangerous, with the ex-goalkeeper, n.23, easily their best player. But Jonah went to mark him and shut him out completely! 

MedCup Training Matches

 On Wednesday April 27 all the teams participating to the Mediterranean Cup will play a friendly/practice match:

Match #1: MORNING BREAK Girls: MedCup team vs Girls Selection

Match #2: LUNCH BREAK Boys: Ambrit A vs Ambrit B

Selected Girls for Match #1:

Sara (C), Irene, Clara, Martina, Ella, Ginevra, Abby, Bianca P, Sofia P...

ACLI League - Play-offs, Round 1: Ambrit 15-1 Santa Caterina

 As the league moves into a play-off series with games of direct elimination, Ambrit started the game with purpose and cantered to an easy win. This sets up a quarter-final clash versus the winners of Semplicitas - Mentana, a game that is due to be played in the week beginning Saturday April 23rd.

Today's goals were scored by Ale (3), Alberto (2), Mattia (1), Zach (1), Bernardo (1), Giorgio (3), Jonah (1), Vittorio (1), Emilio (2)

Solid at the back; dangerous coming forward

ACLI League: Ambrit 10-2 Nettuno

 A team that is playing well can hum like a finely-tuned engine and today, at times, the Ambrit motor was humming. From Theo, a solid and reassuring presence in goal, through Alberto, who dictated the pace and tempo of the match in midfield, up to a superlative Zach in attack who combined a subtle touch with a forceful presence, the team played with confidence and conviction.

Even an early goal from the visitors did nothing to dent the team's approach and it wasn't long before Zach had equalised with a deceptive shot off the outside of his right boot. Ambrit then went 2-1 down as the defence continued to settle into the match but this time it was Mattia who finished off a Zach assist. Now Zach hit the post, Alberto scored twice and Ale, always able to find space between the midfield and attack, added a fifth before half time.

Ambrit owned the second half. Bernardo and Giorgio cleaned up everything at the back and the rest of the team pressed relentlessly. Pedro scored immediately after the break; Ale slid home a free kick to make it 7-2; Alberto completed his hat-trick after a lovely passing move involving Emilio and Zach. Emilio capped a wonderful performance of careful, considered and determined football with the ninth goal, running on to a long pass from Giorgio and putting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. Pedro rounded off the scoreline to make it 10-2, to the great satisfaction of a beaming captain Santiago on the sidelines.

Brazil 0-0 Argentina

 An intense but ultimately sterile match with much effort, few chances but no goals. Pedro was closest, with shots pinging off the crossbar, whizzing wide and saved by the keeper.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Nicholas 5, Victor 4, Michael 2, Jonah 2, Pedro 2, Tiago 2, Louis 2, Ryan 2, Vincent 2, Zach 2, Marco 1, Bernardo 1, Adam 1

Australia 3-1 Russia

 Un'Australia sontuosa, per la prima volta schierata nella formazione tipo, schianta una Russia poco incisiva e si rilancia nella corsa verso la finale, già "prenotata" dal Messico.

La partita è a senso unico, o quasi, con Isabel e Athena a supporto di Alice unica punta, e l'efficace difesa di Abby a bloccare ogni possibile avanzata russa. Sul fronte opposto buona prova della coppia Maya-Sofia, con le chance di attacco affidate quasi esclusivamente al vigore di Carolina e a qualche conclusione dalla distanza di Rose.

L'Australia si porta in vantaggio con una bella rimessa laterale di Isabel che lancia al tiro Alice, brava a liberarsi. È sempre il capitano Ambrit a ripetersi qualche minuto dopo con un tiro diagonale che bacia il palo ed entra in rete. La Russia prova una reazione, e accorcia su azione insistita di Rose, che costringe all'errore il portiere.

A spegnere definitivamente le ambizioni russe arriva il rigore, confermato dalla coppia di VAR Santiago e Pedro, assegnato dall'arbitro per tocco di mano in area di rigore. Sul dischetto va Alice e non sbaglia: tripletta e tre punti assicurati. Le ultime sfide saranno decisive, benché l'Australia abbia una differenza reti piuttosto penalizzante.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Alice 4, Isabel 4, Abby 3, Sofia F 3, Atena 2, Aali 2, Maya 2, Carolina 2.

Red Card: Diego I, Daniel. (missing their next match)