Shanghai Lions FC did battle with Azzurri FC. For the men in blue this was the most widely anticipated match of the season. Azzurri were dominating the first 20mins with beautiful play and controlled tempo.
Starting from the back, working the ball towards the right hand side, a ball was played inside to Giulio ‘Frodo’ Bortolaso who played it to Antti Hintsanen completely splitting open the Lions defense. Hintsanen executed a perfect slide tackle onto the ball, slotting it in the near post for a 0-1 Azzurri lead.
The next goal was an unfortunate decision by the ref from a corner, as the ball struck the hand of a Lions player. The Lions keeper initially saved the ensuing spot kick but Javier del Valle latched onto the ball as it bounced of the keeper to unleash a thunderbolt, an absolute cracker-jacker for 0-2.
After 30mins, Nico Fajardo picked up the ball on the right side of the box. Fajardo released enough venom with his right clubfoot to ping the ball into the roof of the net against a really angry and overweight Lions goalkeeper for a 0-3 Azzurri lead.
The Lions then got a goal back when Romain Haution found the net for 1-3. On the 40th minute mark Antti Hintsanen picked up the ball on the corner of the 6-yard box and got it to Stephen Yuan at the back post. Yuan slide tackled it into the goal taking a 1-4 Azzurri lead. The game became a bit scrappy after that and frustrations crept in the Lions’ play.
Towards the end the Azzurri were awarded a penalty from a foul by the angry fat keeper. The ensuing spot kick was duly converted by Nick ‘Zorro’ Velani for a final 1-5 score line. Giulio Bortolaso picked up man of the match honors.
