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ITALY, ARMENIA SHARE THE SPOILS
Premium Official News
October 21, 2013 Monday
Zurich
The Federation of International Football Association has issued the
following news release:
Mario Balotelli came off the bench to save Italy's blushes in a 2-2
draw with Armenia, which threatened to end in the hosts' first defeat
of a successful FIFA World Cup~Y qualifying campaign on Tuesday.
Four-time champions Italy had qualified for Brazil 2014 with two
games to spare but four days after a 2-2 draw away to Denmark, Cesare
Prandelli's men looked to be heading for a first Group B defeat until
Balotelli's late leveller.
Armenia, who were battling for a possible runner-up finish, started
brightly and took a shock lead at the San Paolo. Two minutes after
pouncing on a mistake by Davide Astori, Armenia striker Yura Movsisyan
intercepted an Alberto Aquilani back pass towards Astori to run
through on goal and beat number two Italy 'keeper Federico Marchetti.
Alessandro Florenzi levelled for the hosts when he found a gap in the
Armenia defence to coolly head Lorenzo Insigne's cross from the left
past Roman Berezovskiy on 24 minutes.
A largely experimental Italy were creating plenty up front, but
leaving gaping holes at the back. Marchetti was given warning again
when Henrikh Mkhitaryan burst past Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci
only to send his effort across the face of goal and the Italy keeper
then had to smothered Aras Ozbiliz's effort.
Insigne was the first Napoli player to represent Italy at the Serie
A club's home ground in 23 years and came close to capping that
achievement with a stunning goal at the end of the half. He left his
marker behind with a cool backheel flick which he drove towards the
far post, only for his effort to go just wide, then saw a spectacular
volley go just off target.
Balotelli replaced Pablo Osvaldo ten minutes after the restart and
did well to set up Insigne, with Berezovskiy parrying the Napoli
forward's effort.
Italy's defence finally collapsed in the 70th minute when Henrikh
Mkhitaryan powered a header past Marchetti and saw the ball bounce
off the crossbar and goalline to give Armenia a 2-1 lead.
Prandelli replaced Aquilani with Giuseppe Rossi on 70 minutes to
hand the Fiorentina striker his first cap since October 2011. Minutes
later Balotelli turned on Andrea Pirlo's weighted pass from midfield
to beat Berezovskiy and hand Italy a lifeline.
Balotelli sent a rasping drive just wide of the Berezovskiy's goal
on 82 minutes and had the ball in the net minutes later after heading
home Insigne's cross, only for it to be chalked off for an infringement
moments earlier.
In the final minute of injury time Balotelli had the fans on their
feet when he held off several defenders on a long run into the area,
only to see his angled shot go under Berezovskiy and inches past the
keeper's far post.
For more information please visit: http://www.fifa.com
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Premium Official News
October 21, 2013 Monday
Zurich
The Federation of International Football Association has issued the
following news release:
Mario Balotelli came off the bench to save Italy's blushes in a 2-2
draw with Armenia, which threatened to end in the hosts' first defeat
of a successful FIFA World Cup~Y qualifying campaign on Tuesday.
Four-time champions Italy had qualified for Brazil 2014 with two
games to spare but four days after a 2-2 draw away to Denmark, Cesare
Prandelli's men looked to be heading for a first Group B defeat until
Balotelli's late leveller.
Armenia, who were battling for a possible runner-up finish, started
brightly and took a shock lead at the San Paolo. Two minutes after
pouncing on a mistake by Davide Astori, Armenia striker Yura Movsisyan
intercepted an Alberto Aquilani back pass towards Astori to run
through on goal and beat number two Italy 'keeper Federico Marchetti.
Alessandro Florenzi levelled for the hosts when he found a gap in the
Armenia defence to coolly head Lorenzo Insigne's cross from the left
past Roman Berezovskiy on 24 minutes.
A largely experimental Italy were creating plenty up front, but
leaving gaping holes at the back. Marchetti was given warning again
when Henrikh Mkhitaryan burst past Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci
only to send his effort across the face of goal and the Italy keeper
then had to smothered Aras Ozbiliz's effort.
Insigne was the first Napoli player to represent Italy at the Serie
A club's home ground in 23 years and came close to capping that
achievement with a stunning goal at the end of the half. He left his
marker behind with a cool backheel flick which he drove towards the
far post, only for his effort to go just wide, then saw a spectacular
volley go just off target.
Balotelli replaced Pablo Osvaldo ten minutes after the restart and
did well to set up Insigne, with Berezovskiy parrying the Napoli
forward's effort.
Italy's defence finally collapsed in the 70th minute when Henrikh
Mkhitaryan powered a header past Marchetti and saw the ball bounce
off the crossbar and goalline to give Armenia a 2-1 lead.
Prandelli replaced Aquilani with Giuseppe Rossi on 70 minutes to
hand the Fiorentina striker his first cap since October 2011. Minutes
later Balotelli turned on Andrea Pirlo's weighted pass from midfield
to beat Berezovskiy and hand Italy a lifeline.
Balotelli sent a rasping drive just wide of the Berezovskiy's goal
on 82 minutes and had the ball in the net minutes later after heading
home Insigne's cross, only for it to be chalked off for an infringement
moments earlier.
In the final minute of injury time Balotelli had the fans on their
feet when he held off several defenders on a long run into the area,
only to see his angled shot go under Berezovskiy and inches past the
keeper's far post.
For more information please visit: http://www.fifa.com
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress