Teachers 2-1 Grade 8

 The most eagerly-awaited appointment in the Ambrit sporting year finally arrived today and it was a game worthy of the occasion. The teachers went into the lead in period 1, Miss Amaranto poking a clever pass through to Mr Gabriele G in the penalty area and he finished into the corner. New signing Mr Francesco replaced his more senior namesake for period 2 and the teachers continued to dominate possession. The students defended well though and carved out a few half-chances too but it was the teachers who scored again, Mr Gabriele notching up his 4th goal in two days off a Mr Francesco assist.

But the students came back and, out on the left, Rocco cut inside and unleashed a guided missile into the opposite bottom corner to close the second period at 2-1. The third period was evenly contested. The teachers should have made more of a couple of breakaway chances and the students might have capitalised on some loose defending and some goalmouth scrambles. But they didn't and, for this year at least, the Bernard Mullane Memorial trophy stays in the hand of the teachers.

Teachers 4 - 0 Intramural Champions

 A resounding win for the teachers today underlined the step-up from Intramural league football to the International Stage. New signing Mr Gabriele gave the team a focus and, in the first half, on-loan Antonio Jr put the opponents under pressure. After toying with the defence for a time, Mr Gabriele finally banged in the first goal and Referee Corcoran brought the first half to a close.

In the second half, Mr Alessandro directed play and Mr Gabriele scored his second goal off a beautifully timed assist from Diego A (on at half-time for Antonio Jr). Miss Giulia and Miss Sonia linked up on the right for the third goal, driven in off the crossbar by the former and another on-loan player - Claudio - completed the rout with a fourth.

THIRD place final: Turkey 2-2 Belgium (6-5 after penalties)

 A cameo appearance from Claudio in the first half and a goal to put Turkey ahead. Belgium's equaliser came from Daniele, finishing off a move that saw Antonio and Leopoldo combine. Belgium then went ahead in the second half when Antonio ran onto a through ball. The ball bounced up between Antonio and Christian and the young Belgian showed great courage, putting his head to the ball when he knew Christian's fist was arriving. Courage was rewarded as the ball rolled into the net! Belgium had a couple of chances to wrap it up, the best one falling to Daniele, but Christian made a great save. Then Steve scored a fantastic equaliser for Turkey. He showed determination to win the ball, determination to keep it, determination to find space and determination to shoot home!

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Antonio F 4, Steve 3, Giulio 2, Daniele 2, Matteo 2, Christian 2, Lucas C 1, Luca Tommaso 1, Claudio 1, Zain 1, Sam S 1, 

Congratulations Ambrit: ACLI 'Giovanissimi' Champions 2023-24!

 Ambrit's football season came to a close this morning at the Stella Azzurra Football Stadium, where Ambrit met Nomen in this year's 'Giovanissimi' final. Ambrit got off to a fast start, Dylan almost scoring twice and then Daniele was close with a spectacular scissors kick! The early pressure finally paid off when the ball fell to Adriano on the edge of the area. He took it on the volley and fired an unstoppable shot in off the crossbar! He had a chance to make it 2-0 almost immediately, meeting Daniele's cross just 2m from the goal but he somehow put the ball over the bar (too much rugby?😏). Dylan had another chance too, but the tide was turning. Nomen were starting to play and starting to create chances. Ambrit fell back and Gabriele had to make a string of saves - some quite simple but some far from routine; one that he touched slightly and just enough to send it crashing back off the crossbar instead of into the net. He kept his team in the game until the half-time break.

The break allowed Ambrit to re-organise and they began the second half more positively. Almost immediately, Antonio stole the ball in midfield, glanced up and struck a powerful shot that finished in the back of the net: 2-0! But Nomen reacted quickly and their captain pulled one back. A high ball found him in the penalty area and his control and shot were top-class: 2-1! But Ambrit's goals today were all very well-timed and now they scored again to quench the nascent Nomen hopes. Daniele robbed a ball off the defender and shot back in the direction that the goalkeeper was coming from. The ball trickled into the net, the goalkeeper finished up in a heap and the winners' trophy finished up in Via Tajani!

Three wins out of three for the u12s!

 If the u14 team was characterized by determination and some good individual performances, the u12 team was characterized by some really excellent football. The passing was clean, well-timed and accurate. The movement off the ball was constant and intelligent. This might have been the best performance ever from an Ambrit u12 team and, when you consider that Antonio and Claudio didn't play, it makes for an exciting future! The first game against Marymount was a little chaotic and served the Ambrit players to get their bearings. Giovanni M and Lorenzo G scored in a 2-1 win. 

Next, Ambrit faced AOSR. Ambrit dominated possession, building from the back. Martti's distribution was good; Simon and Mostafa were always available and the ball found its way through midfield with great fluency. Chances were created - lots of chances! But only one was taken, Diego in the right place at the right time as he so often is. A bare 1-0 win then: should have been more! The last game was again Acorn. More good football had the opposition manager purring and asking his lads to copy our passing and movement! Three goals this time: Diego finished off a great passing combination for 1-0. Giovanni M scored the second when he was put through by the best pass of the day by Diego; and Lorenzo G added a third, arriving late to tap in at the far post.

TEAM: Mostafa, Giovanni, Martti, Diego, Lorenzo G, Ryan, Simon, Edoardo, Matteo, Lorenzo L

Ambrit Boys Win another Double victory at AOSR!

 An already successful season was nicely wrapped up the AOSR June tournament this morning with Ambrit's Boys finishing FIRST in both the u14 and u12 categories.

The u14 boys started the ball rolling with a match against AOSR. Some late arrivals meant that Ashton and Steve were thrown in at the deep end and they both coped admirably. After putting their hosts under pressure for most of the game, Ambrit suddenly found themselves behind when the AOSR captain released a thunderbolt from 20 meters out straight into the top corner. Ambrit reacted well though and added even more urgency to their attack. A great cross from the right by Kevin was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Adrian was on hand to tap it in to tie the game. Next up was St George's and, after last week's impressive 11-a-side win, Ambrit took the field confidently. It was another hotly-contested game. It was another 2-1 win for Ambrit, goals from Antonio and Kevin. The third match pitted Ambrit against Acorn, who had won their first two games. But Ambrit gave them no time to settle. An early free kick was awarded and Rocco banged it in for 1-0. Then Gabriele added a second: a trademark curler from wide on the left into the opposite top corner - Goal of the Day! Rocco popped up to add a third, beating two defenders on the edge of the area and dragging it back past the goalkeeper who went the wrong way. 

This comprehensive 3-0 win meant Ambrit would face Rome International in the final. Again, the Portuense boys were quick out of the traps. Two early goals from Rocco (another free kick converted!) and an own-goal put them 3-0 up half-way through. But it was far from all over. RIS pulled one back... and another: 3-2 and nerves were frayed. Then Kevin crossed from the right and Giovanni was first to the ball and turned it past the goalkeeper to restore a margin of comfort. But RIS scored again and kept attacking. Aron made three good saves and RIS hit the crossbar too but Ambrit made it safe with a fifth goal, this one from Vittorio!

TEAM: Vittorio, Gabriele, Kevin Ashton, Adrian, Aron, Steve, Sam, Dmitrii, Antonio, Rocco, Giovanni, Adriano 

GIRLS FINAL: SWEDEN CHAMPION

 La Svezia si aggiudica il trofeo, beffando una Svizzera sin qui perfetta. I rigori "tradiscono" proprio alcune delle giocatrici più brave e promettenti del torneo, che mostrano troppa tensione o troppa sfortuna al momento di calciare... Un rigore parato da entrambi i portieri e una palla sulla traversa fanno la differenza...

Sara P alzerà il trofeo e con lei tutta la squadra svedese.

BUONA ESTATE A TUTTE LE FANTASTICHE RAGAZZE CHE QUEST'ANNO HANNO RESO IL CAMPIONATO DIVERTENTE ED EMOZIONANTE!!!

BOYS' FINAL: Austria 0-1 Denmark

 A single goal was enough to decide an excellent final today and captain Diego will carry the trophy proudly back to Copenhagen! In fact, it was Diego who scored the only goal of the game - a viciously-struck cross-shot that beat Aron and finished in the net. Austria threw everything into attack. Antonio had a chance but kicked wide to the right; Sam had a chance but Adrian made an acrobatic save. At the other end, Antoine had a chance to wrap up the points but Aron reacted well. Rocco attacked down the right, through the middle and, mostly, down the left. James supported well on the right. But Giovanni blocked everything. To finish, a huge thank you to Austria for their very sporting gesture, allowing the match to be played earlier to accommodate Giovanni. 

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Antonio Jnr 3, Carlo 3, Diego I 3, Giovanni 3, Rocco 2, James 2, Adrian 2, Lorenzo G 2, Aron 1

GIRLS FINAL: Switzerland 0-0 Sweden

 La notizia principale è che la Svizzera 🇨🇭 non ha vinto, ed è la prima volta quest'anno! Quindi brava la Svezia 🇸🇪  a contenere le favorite e a non concedere più di tante occasioni.

La finale verrà quindi decisa ai calci di rigore e qui c'è tutto un altro mondo: la bravura e l'intuito dei portieri, Maria e Freydis, la tensione, la mira, le scelte di chi batterà il rigore... insomma lo spettacolo non mancherà.

Il match è stato molto combattuto, da una parte e dall'altra, con la Svizzera a gestire il gioco, come prevedibile, e la Svezia pronta per le ripartenze. Molto impegnato il centrocampo, con Sophie in grandissima crescita e Livia sempre super reattiva, in mezzo alle "veterane" Naila ed Erin, con Erica braccata dalla difesa svedese. Difficile scegliere un "migliore in campo".

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Sophie 4, Livia 3, Naila 3, Erin 2, Sofia 2, Costanza 2, Freydis 2, Sara P 1, Alessandra 1, Jiayi 1, Suleyma 1, Sara W 1.

Sweden 1-0 Croatia

 Nell'ultimo match valido per il secondo Intramural 2024 la Svezia conquista i tre punti necessari a scavalcare Malta e a conquistare l'accesso alla finale femminile! Ottima prova di squadra delle nordiche che, nonostante la pesante assenza di Livia, riescono a passare con un gol di Costanza e a difende il risultato dal ritorno delle croate.

Ottimo l'agonismo visto in campo, anche da parte di chi era già virtualmente fuori dal torneo, ma che ha dato tutto per concludere dignitosamente la stagione. Molte ragazze hanno sfoderato una prestazione notevole, difficile premiarle tutte.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Naila 4, Viola 3, Costanza 3, Margherita 2, Freydis 2, Clotilde 2, Sara P 2, Lavinia 2, Zoe 2, Sofia 2, Anna C 2, Caterina 2, Megan 1, Una 1.

Switzerland 1-0 Malta

 La Svizzera batte un'ottima Malta e completa il girone con un record di 6 vittorie su 6! Incredibile!

Eppure la formazione maltese avrebbe meritato oggi almeno il pareggio, per un atteggiamento e una volontà ferrea di non mollare e non cedere di un millimetro. La Svizzera, infatti, ha dovuto faticare non poco per segnare e mantenere il vantaggio sino alla fine della partita.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Sophie 3, Chloe 2, Carla 1, Sara W 1, Erica 1.

Austria 4-1 Turkey

 Turkey crashed out of the IM championship today at the hands of Austria and their hat-trick hero, Lucas! James had another good game today and he turned and shot well early on to be first to test Christian in the Turkish goal. No luck there but Lucas did open the scoring off a lovely through pass from Rocco. Turkey got back into the game quickly though, Claudio nodding home a Jacopo throw. Rocco almost scored soon after but his hot, after a mazy dribble through three defenders, was wide.

In the second period, Rocco did score quickly to put the Turks on the back foot again. Then Lucas scored with another well-placed shot and looked to be in full control. Lucas completed his hat-trick off yet another Rocco assist.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Lucas P 3, Simon 3, Jacopo 3, Aron 2, Antonio C 2, James 2, Rocco 2, Adriano 1, Sam 1, Rex 1, Tancredi 1, Giulio R 1

ACLI SF (ritorno): Ambrit 6-3 Velletri (14-3 on aggregate)

 Tired from their morning heroics at La Storta, Ambrit found enough energy and a few fresh legs to seal their place in next week's ACLI final against Nomen. Goals from Dylan, Vittorio, Martino, Antonio, Kevin.

Kick-off: Sunday 9 June, 09.00

Circolo Stella Azzurra, Via dei Cocchieri 11

RISA friendly (11-a-side): St George's 1-2 Ambrit

 This was a very, very good performance by Ambrit. Playing away on an unfamiliar pitch against opponents who had a physical advantage in almost every position, Ambrit went behind, pulled level and then scored again to seal a well-earned win. Inspired by Giovanni Z in midfield - always available to receive the ball - Ambrit got to half-time with the score at 0-0, and both sides had had their chances. In defence and midfield, Ambrit were solid, always closing down their opponents and denying them time and space to play. Behind the defence, Gabriele was calm and in control.

St George's took the lead early in the second half. A long diagonal pass from the goalkeeper cleared the half-way line and put the SGBIS captain through on the left. Kevin did well to drive him wide initially but then he cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Gabriele into the top corner. Ambrit now redoubled their efforts and when Rocco - always determined and inventive (but maybe should pass the ball more often) - went on another of his testing, mazy runs though the defence, he was tripped in the area and Giovanni banged home the resulting penalty to make it 1-1. Shaken, St George's lost their shape in defence and Ambrit took advantage. With Antonio Junior always calm in possession and Lorenzo supplying clever flicks and movement, they started to create more chances. Daniele broke through on the right, crossed to the far post and Antonio Junior arrived late to strike the ball against the post and just wide! Daniele himself had a chance to score just a minute later when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area but his shot was straight at the 'keeper. Ambrit kept attacking though and, in a photocopy of the earlier move, Daniele crossed again to the far post and this time it was Giovanni 'Tino' Vitiello who arrived late to meet the ball and slide it home! Ex-Ambrit player Ben had a chance to level the scores near the end but he too hit the post when he probably should have scored and the referee blew the final whistle shortly afterwards.

TEAM: Gabriele; Francesco (capt), Vittorio, Matteo, Giovanni V; Kevin, Giovanni Z, Antonio F, Antonio Junior, Lorenzo; Rocco, Daniele.