Grilled 7 - 2 Novara
We had overcast weather free of rain at the stadium today. The following players had been chosen:
Dob -
Webb,
中北 (Nakakita) -
Künzler,
Xin Lee,
Mohammad Harun,
Muthyala,
Dong Chu -
Ze Han,
Davlatov,
Xin Seng.
They fielded:
Camoni -
Chirivì,
Ghiselli,
Ligori -
Genutti,
Amal,
Genova,
Ponza,
Bertesina -
Antoniello,
Gilardino.
The teams had chosen different formations for the match. Home team Grilled Birds went for 2-5-3 while Sparta Novara has decided to play a 3-5-2 lineup. Grilled tried to focus their attacks down the middle, taking advantage of their divine (+5) level with that tactic. Novara's opponents know to be wary of
Angelo Genutti's speed, but it made little difference as he flew past the defence 18 minutes into the game. Only the keeper could stop him - and he did with a perfectly timed dive! After 20 minutes of play,
Moey Xin Seng gave the home team a 1 - 0 lead after an attack coming in from the right. Always quick and a menace to his opponents,
Angelo Genutti was very close to getting through after 22 minutes, but he could only put the ball into the keeper's arms. Things were deteriorating for the away team as Grilled scored another to make it 2 - 0 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for
Chu Xin Lee after 28 minutes. 34 minutes in, Grilled's
Moey Xin Seng received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. After 35 minutes, the away team failed to deal with a good exchange of passes on the right, and
Cyril Künzler gave the Grilled supporters even more to cheer about when he increased the lead to 3 - 0. The referee showed Novara's
Andrea Ligori the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. It was obvious that team Grilled had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. Cheers filled the stadium as
Bilal Mohammad Harun broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 4 - 0 to Grilled. After 38 minutes
Angelo Genutti seized on an opportunistic attack from the right, and scored for Novara making it 4 - 1. 4 - 1 was the score after the first half. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Grilled, with 55 percent of the ball.
46 minutes into the game, Grilled wanted to bring some new energy to their game.
悠太 (Yuta) 中北 (Nakakita) gave
Bhavya Panigrahi a quick hug as he left the field. 46 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Grilled substitution.
Kalki Parvathaneni came on for
Neeraj Muthyala. The away team improved the scoreline to 4 - 2, as
Gian Piero Gilardino struck home, set up well by a play on the left 47 minutes into the match. Grilled were given a gift! The ref dubiously awarded them a penalty 48 minutes into the match, which was neatly put away by
Cyril Künzler. 5 - 2 for the home side. Novara's
Carlo Maria Antoniello got himself booked for a foul. The bench was restless, and with 68 minutes passed Novara's coach gave
Giocondo Calvelli the opportunity the player had been hoping for.
Gian Piero Gilardino reluctantly left the field. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Grilled's
Islom Davlatov increasing the lead to 6 - 2. With 70 minutes played, the Novara coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around.
Manuel Franco came on,
Pier Giorgio Genova had to leave the fray. As
Pier Giorgio Genova left the field, the coach signaled to
Angelo Genutti to be the new set pieces taker. As the match nears its end, the referee has deemed it appropriate to add 4 minutes as stoppage time. Grilled players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. Things were going to get worse for the visitors.
Gilbert Webb squirmed through their central defence after 91 minutes, increasing the lead to 7 - 2. The match ends 7 - 2. Grilled claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 55 percent.
Moey Xin Seng performed admirably for Grilled.
Bhavya Panigrahi on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Novara player was
Carlo Maria Antoniello.
Andrea Ligori was a disappointment, however.