Republic of Ireland versus Italy – International friendly: Second half review
Ireland resumed the second half of play at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liege, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850 with a one goal lead over the mighty Italian national team. Considering his team’s woeful display in the first half of the encounter, Cesare
Prandelli decided to make two changes at the half time break as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Pirlo-c5702 made way for Palombo and Rossi was replaced by Matri.
In the 48th minute, Matri made an immediate impact on the proceedings as he forced a free kick out the Irish http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904 near their penalty area. However the free kick that was taken by Palombo was gathered in without any
difficulty by Forde inside the Irish penalty area. In the 51st minute, Palombo stepped up to take a corner kick for Italy and this time the midfielder disappointed once again as his delivery into the Irish penalty area was over hit.
In the 57th minute, Marchisio played in Pazzini inside the Irish penalty area. The Juventus midfielder flicked on a delightful pass for the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan striker but Pazzini used his hand to control the ball, something
that was spotted by the referee who duly gave a free kick in favour of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Republic-of-Ireland-c2987. In the 59th minute, Italy made two more changes to their line up in order to gain a foot hold in the match. This time Gilardino came on for Pazzini and Giovinco
replaced Nocerino.
Ireland responded with changes of their own as well in the 60th minute. Glen Whelan came on for Foley and Long went out of play to be replaced by Simon Cox. In the 63rd minute, Marchisio tried his luck on
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Federico-Balzaretti-c13451 into the fray as Domenico Criscito was substituted.
In the 75th minute, Keith Treacy came on for Keogh as Ireland looked to hold back and defend their one goal lead against the Italians. Despite Italy’s late attempts to gain a route back into the match, Ireland got the
killer goal right at the death in the 90th minute of the matchup. Stephen Hunt led the Irish counter attack as he slid in an effortless pass towards Simon Cox who finished off the Italian charge with a late goal.
Thus the match finally came to an end with the score line at two nil in favour of the home side. It was a disappointing display by the Italians who came into the match as the favourites against the Irish minnows.
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