National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Paulus Maximus kicked off to start the match. Eugenio De Bettin might have been able to make a better finish in the 5th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Gigi Buffon. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Eugenio De Bettin ran back to his position shaking his head. Gigi Buffon took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eugenio De Bettin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. José Machado sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Hipólito Ferro hit a great freekick 12 minutes into the match. U21 Italy's Angelo Di Livio got a good chance for a goal in the 13th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ermanno Pardini showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Manuel Melo, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. Gigi Buffon took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eugenio De Bettin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 20th minute, Jaime Patrício hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. U21 Italy's Ermanno Pardini proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 26th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Italy from getting a goal against them. 31 minutes into the match, U21 Portugal's goal looked a bit too open when Dario Palombi came free, but Gigi Buffon reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Paulus Maximus could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 33rd minute of the match, but Ermanno Pardini made a huge save. With his leg Ermanno Pardini managed to avoid a goal in the 33rdth minute, when U21 Portugal's Paulus Maximus fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Carlos Ramos could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Ermanno Pardini made a huge save. After 41 played minutes U21 Portugal got a freekick which was hit by Hipólito Ferro. U21 Italy's Eugenio De Bettin got a good chance for a goal in the 45th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The score stood at 0-0 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Al Verde kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. In the 54th minute of the match José Machado sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ermanno Pardini skillfully saved the ball. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Portugal's zone, Eugenio De Bettin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gigi Buffon came out of the goal and Eugenio De Bettin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ermanno Pardini took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from António Paião, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dino Polo charged in rather forcefully in the 64th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Dino Polo the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. U21 Portugal were awarded a corner in the 68th minute after U21 Italy's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. José Machado took the corner. The corner led U21 Portugal's José Machado to fire away a dangerous shot which Ermanno Pardini despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manuel Melo in the 70th minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Ermanno Pardini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. U21 Italy's Ermanno Pardini played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by António Paião in the 71st minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Paulus Maximus in the 75th minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Ermanno Pardini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When U21 Portugal's Paulus Maximus in the 79th minute got a chance for a shot 79th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Italy's goalie prevented a goal. Ermanno Pardini made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from António Paião in the 83rd minute of play. Gigi Buffon stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Franco Caruso's shot from short distance in the 84th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers António Paião in the 87th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ermanno Pardini saved U21 Italy from getting behind. After 87 played minutes U21 Portugal got a freekick which was hit by José Machado. U21 Portugal made a substitution. Pascoal Horta replaced Carlos Lessa. U21 Italy's Domenico Piccini was substituted for Ciro Alati. U21 Portugal's Elias Miguéis was substituted for Carlos Ramos. 93 minutes into the match, U21 Portugal's goalkeeper Gigi Buffon had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Franco Caruso. Ermanno Pardini took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from António Paião, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.