Internazionale 4 - 3 Grilled
Due to an all-day shower, 5298 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at
Stadion im. Adama Ledwonia.
Mathis Köfner was the appointed referee with assistance provided by
Alí Laguna and
Pompeu Pais Santos. The wet pitch made it difficult for technical or quick players to stand out. For once, the players relying on physical strength gained the upper hand. Internazionale's starters:
Mahmudov -
Deneffe,
Bünyadov -
Roter,
Whelan,
Lazzaro,
Mehdiyev,
El Kafrawy -
Məhərrəmov,
Oskierko,
Qəmbərov.
Grilled fielded:
Vadalà -
Panigrahi,
Webb -
敬龙 (Jinglong),
Lunde,
Velho,
Carapaica,
田宮 (Tamiya) -
Mottl,
Parvathaneni,
Jaška.
Both teams came out with a similar approach to the match, having chosen to start with a 2-5-3 formation. Internazionale used their formidable (9) skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. The pressing tactics used by Internazionale were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Grilled's
Kalki Parvathaneni gave the visitors a 0 - 1 lead after 24 minutes with a superb strike from the right.
Abd El Rasheed El Kafrawy showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 29 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 1 - 1 equaliser away. They were singing the praises of
Zaur Bünyadov 30 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 2 - 1 to Internazionale. Grilled's
Radovan Jaška got himself booked for a foul. With 43 minutes played,
José Luiz Velho of Grilled fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Internazionale's
Igor Deneffe increasing the lead to 3 - 1. Grilled fought on and, after 44 minutes,
Douglas Carapaica was able to reduce the deficit to 3 - 2 after some excellent moves on the right side were finished off with an incredibly clever chip. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area with a goal nearly scored by
Douglas Carapaica. At last, Grilled's
Kalki Parvathaneni was able to backheel the ball in. 3 - 3. Internazionale created a good opportunity to score 44 minutes into the match when
Konrad Oskierko's hooked ball from the left created a scuffle in front of the goal, and the visitors' defenders had a hard time clearing the ball. The teams went for the halftime break at 3 - 3. This part of the game was a standoff between the teams in terms of possession.
As the 46 minute mark approached, the Grilled coach decided it was time for a substitution.
吴 (Wu) 敬龙 (Jinglong) reluctantly made way for
Chu Xin Lee on the pitch.
Gilbert Webb became the new Grilled captain.
Radovan Jaška would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise.
Moey Xin Seng entered the game for Grilled as the match clock showed 46 minutes. Internazionale's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. After 54 minutes, a deliberate handball from Grilled's
José Luiz Velho was judged to be his second bookable offence, and he was sent off. At this time in the match, Internazionale were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game.
Turxan Mahmudov looked great 75 minutes into the match after stopping a shot from the middle of the penalty area from the visitors'
Gilbert Webb. After 89 minutes, the Grilled coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving
Gilbert Webb off the field.
Chirag Thevar took his place.
Moey Xin Seng was the new captain of Grilled - handed the armband by the departing player. The referee decided to let play continue for an additional 3 minutes beyond the regular 90 minutes.
Elşən Qəmbərov gave Internazionale the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 4 - 3 The match ends 4 - 3. Grilled had most of the ball, with 55 percent of possession.
Internazionale's top performer was clearly
Mattie Whelan. On the other hand,
Turxan Mahmudov's play was disheartening. Most important Grilled player was
Moey Xin Seng.
Chirag Thevar turned in a dismal performance, however.