National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) U21 Italy's Fedele Ucci started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 7 minutes into the game, Andrew Cepa was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Wales's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Italy the free kick. In the 7th match minute, U21 Wales was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Andrew Cepa to maneuver through the defense. U21 Italy's Antonello Salvagnin got a good chance for a goal in the 8th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The audience was convinced that Fedele Ucci's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Cadfan Freston was relentless in the 10th minute of the game. In the 11th match minute, U21 Italy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alberto Di Iulio to maneuver through the defense. U21 Wales's Amerawdwr Douglas shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 12th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Federico Marinetti but with some difficulty. In the 13th match minute, U21 Wales was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Andrew Cepa to maneuver through the defense. In the 14th minute Fedele Ucci shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Cadfan Freston saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. U21 Wales's Cadfan Freston played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fedele Ucci in the 14th minute of play. In the 20th minute Biagio Aloisi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Cadfan Freston saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 21 minutes into the game, Fedele Ucci cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Cadfan Freston was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 24th match minute, U21 Italy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fausto Munno to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fedele Ucci in the 27th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cadfan Freston prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fedele Ucci in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cadfan Freston prevented the ball from getting in the gole. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gwydre Finan in the 31st minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Federico Marinetti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After taking down the ball on U21 Wales's corner Gwydre Finan fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Federico Marinetti quite easily take care of the ball. U21 Wales's Cadfan Freston played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fedele Ucci in the 37th minute of play. Naw Jagger's late challenge caught a U21 Italy's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Naw Jagger helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of U21 Italy booed when U21 Wales was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Naw Jagger didn't get a good kick on the ball. After taking down the ball on U21 Italy's corner Fedele Ucci fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Cadfan Freston quite easily take care of the ball. After 45 played minutes U21 Italy got a freekick which was hit by Bernardo Bartolucci. After some fancy dribbling in the 45th minute, Amerawdwr Douglas managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Wales's supporters rose to their feet, but Amerawdwr Douglas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Federico Marinetti breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.
The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Kynwyl Brazier was the one to do the kick off. A hard shot 55 in the game by Fedele Ucci from a close distance when the talented Cadfan Freston managed to make a qualified save. U21 Wales's players were relieved. Fausto Munno could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 62nd minute of the match, but Cadfan Freston made a huge save. Biagio Aloisi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Cadfan Freston tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 65th minute, Prys Folds hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gwydre Finan in the 75th minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Federico Marinetti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 76th minute, Fedele Ucci made a precise shot to the right of Cadfan Freston. U21 Wales's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-2. The audience thought a goal was coming when Fausto Munno got free with Cadfan Freston in the 78th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. U21 Wales's Kynwyl Brazier suffered a concussion after 81 minutes and had to leave the field. Andrea Pirlo charged in rather forcefully in the 81st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Andrea Pirlo the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. U21 Wales made a substitution. Nodens Edwards replaced Kynwyl Brazier. A collision led to U21 Italy getting a freekick after 83 minutes play. Andrea Pirlo hit a great ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fedele Ucci in the 88th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cadfan Freston prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 92nd minute, Fedele Ucci ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Cadfan Freston was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-3. When Naw Jagger came up free with the goalie in the 96th minute, the U21 Wales fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Naw Jagger couldn't finish the play. When the match was over U21 Italy could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than U21 Wales throughout the match.
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