Cameroon 3-2 Romania

 Cameroon set a new record today for the number of goals disallowed in a single IM match... four! Despite this, they still managed to beat a Romania team that now faces a SF with the worst possible preparation. Can captain Rex pull his team together in time? We shall see....

Anyway: Lorenzo G kicked off today's action with an early goal that helps to seal his commanding position at the top of the goal-scoring charts. Giulio R thought he had equalised for Cameroon but Referee Corcoran disallowed the goal as Giulio had removed his green shirt before receiving the ball. Diego did equalise immediately afterwards but Cameroon then had a second goal disallowed: after Cristian had finished off Gabriele's assist, it transpired that Cameroon had an extra player on the pitch: no goal! Again however, Diego stepped up immediately afterwards to score and now Cameroon were 2-1 ahead at the break. At the beginning of the second half, Cameroon struck the crossbar to remind Romania that they were in for a torrid 15'. Then, two more disallowed goals for Cameroon! First, Giulio rifled home a shot from the edge of the penalty area but not before he had screamed 'lascia!'. Second, a foul on the goalkeeper was spotted by the referee. But again, Cameroon did score a valid goal. Giulio R's shot was well saved but Gabriele followed up to bundle the ball over the line. The ever-vigilant and ever-dangerous LG was on hand to steal a second goal near the end but the three points went to Cameroon.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Giulio R 4, Gabriele 3, Diego 3, Lorenzo G 3, Piervalerio 2, Rex 2, Cristian 2, Lupo 2

USA 5-3 Mexico

 Captain Ashton got his team off to a fast start, his assist setting up Lorenzo F for the first part of an impressive hat-trick, this one nodded home. Maverick brought a save from Lucas and Lorenzo F brought a save from Tor but Lorenzo was on hand for his second goal when Carlo failed to clear a ball from the box. Leopoldo headed home another goal to make it 3-0 at half-time. Mexico reorganised impressively at half time. Erin passed to Carlo and his cross was well finished by Max to make it 3-1. A second goal almost came when a ball was canoned off Maverick and onto the bar but then it did come when Carlo slammed home a shot from 20m out. Mexico were rampant... briefly.... and then Federico quashed the flames with a fourth for USA. Maverick scored to add some jeopardy again but Lorenzo F has the last word and the last goal. 

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Lorenzo F 6, Federico 3, Lorenzo C 3, Max 2, Maverick 2, Carlo 2, Leopoldo 2, Ashton 1

AICS League, GOLD division: SF, first leg AMBRIT 8-3 Santa Melania

 Having finished fourth in the league, Ambrit looked to be up against it in the semi final as they faced the league winners, Santa Melania - unbeaten in 18 games so far this year... until today! Mr.Alessandro and his team conjured up one of their best performances of the year and, in the opening period, the score flipped from 1-0 to 1-1 to 2-1 to 2-2. But in the second half, Ambrit put their foot to the accelerator and cruised majestically past their opponents and into a 8-2 lead! It should have ended there, but the referee allowed the visitors to pull back a goal in the end when play should really have been stopped for an injury. Let's hope that it doesn't become an important goal later on...! Gola today from Giovanni (3), Filippo (2), Noel, Edo and Diego.

Romania 2-4 Argentina

 With four members of the successful Ambrit Med Cup team on their side, Argentina were always going to be the favourites to win this tie - especially with Claudio absent for Romania - and they did. But it was Romania who took the lead. Currently leading the top-scorer charts, Lorenzo G punished Noel for a careless pass. But it didn't take long for Argentina to draw level. Jacopo played in his captain and Antoine - chasing Lorenzo for the Golden Boot - scored. Jacopo put Steve in just after that but Steve shot over. Steve scored with his next chance though, the assist provided this time by Antoine. A good header by Lorenzo G almost made it 2-2 but Argentina led at the break. In the second half, Sam continued to win a lot of ball in midfield for the South Americans and Jacopo continued to torture the Romanians with his usual dribbling skills. Only Raul was able to stop him with any consistency. Jacopo passed to Steve and Steve grabbed his second of the game. Giovanni set up Steve too but his shot this time rattled back off the bar! Antoine followed up by hitting the post when he should have scored and Jacopo himself scored the fourth. Lorenzo G finished neatly into the bottom corner for a goal that was a consolation to his team but another important one for his personal tally.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Raul 5, Jacopo 4, Sam 3, Antoine 3, Steve 2, Martti 2, Rex 1, Giovanni V 

Celtic 0-0 Shakhtar

 A tactical battle between two well-organised sides today. Goal chances were few and far between; Aurora always looked to be the biggest threat for Shakhtar and, indeed, she was today's player of the match - ably abetted by intelligent play from Sophie and Valerie in midfield. On the other side, Chloe worked hard all over the pitch and drove her team forward to good effect.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Aurora 4, Chloe 3, Valerie 2, Sophie 2, Gracie 2,  Angela 1, Megan 2, Livia 2, Carla 1, Amba 1, Sara 1

Cameroon 3-2 Italy

 After Diego's early goal was disallowed (Cameroon had an extra player on the pitch), Vittoria popped up to score for Italy. Diego almost equalised immediately but Megan made a fantastic save. A last-minute own-goal then saw the teams turn around at 1-1. Diego was not to be stopped though and he got his goal early in the second half. But Italy refused to lie down and Livia brought the teams level with 5' to play. Italy were unlucky not to take home a point... Christian blasted home a winner late in the game.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Christian 3, Antonio 3, Diego 3, Megan 3, Giulio 1, Angela 1, Erin 1, Aurora 1, Sara 1, Livia 1, Vittoria 1