Italy 3-0 Honduras
Italy had no problem in making light work of Honduras in their first group B match of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Goals from Sebastian Giovinco, Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca give the Azzurri a flying start with a 3-0 win.
A stunning strike from Sebastian Giovinco followed by two penalties stuck away by Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca ensure the Azzurri start their Olympic dream in the best possible way.
La Nazionale were dominant from start to finish as they send a stark message to the rest of the competition.
Honduras hardly threatened as Casiraghi’s men stroll to victory with a professional and accomplished performance.
First Half
Italy started the brighter of the two teams and it was Pierluigi Casiraghi’s men who looked the most dangerous early on.
In the first 5 minutes Acquafresca was clean through on goal but the keeper saved with his feet following some excellent work by Giovinco.
Minutes later, Giovinco beat his man down the left brilliantly, and the ball eventually found its way to Fiorentina midfielder Ricardo Montolivo, whose shot from the edge of the box was turned round the post by Hernandez.
Italy had most of the possession in the first half, but Honduras began to grow into the game.
Giovinco was the star man, and the crowd roared every time he touched the ball. He created another chance midway through the half with a cross that Rossi nodded wide. It was the Villarreal hit-man who once again tested Hernandez in goal with a powerful drive. At the other end, Azzurri goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano hardly had much to do but he did make a good save from Luis Rodas who struck from distance.
On 41 minutes Italy finally made the breakthrough and inevitably it was Giovinco. The 21-year-old burst forward and unleashed a stunning, swerving left foot shot from 25 yards into the top corner. The finish was top-class as the Juve man makes his mark in China. Hernandez had no chance as the ball rattled the roof of the net - a well deserved lead for the Azzurri.
Honduras then imploded and a minute before the break they conceded a penalty as Arzu handballed in the box. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot following the deliberate infringement. Rossi stepped up and coolly slotted into the corner. It was a great strike, allowing Italy to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Giovinco was outstanding in the first half. Honduras just couldn’t keep him under tabs as he spread his magic all over the pitch.
Second Half
The Azzurri began the second period in the same way they had ended the first. Giovinco broke free down the right and crossed in a pin-point ball into Acquafresca, but the Cagliari striker’s header was wayward.
The Juve starlet then linked up with Rossi. However, the striker’s brilliant left foot effort was saved by Hernandez.
It wouldn't be long before Italy added to their lead. Acquafresca was again at the centre of the action. He was one on one with the 'keeper, who brought him down, following Cigarini's through ball. It was a clumsy foul with a slight suspiscion of a dive by the Cagliari man. The referee pointed to the spot and Aquafresca, who won the kick, stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner.
The game’s rhythm then slowed down and Honduras never looked like getting back into the fray. However, they were handed a chance to make the score line look a bit more respectable. De Silvestri conceded a penalty but Pavon blasted his effort woefully over the bar. The miss summed up Honduras’ day.
Giovinco was substituted to a standing ovation as the crowd saluted the young prodigy, who had been simply sensational. Viviano was called into a couple of decent saves in the final minutes as he tipped Cabellero’s pile driver over the bar.
However, the game fizzled out and Italy looked a little tired as the clock ticked towards full time. The Azzurrini risked conceding as they took their foot off the gas but they held on to run out comfortable winners.
Teams:
Honduras: Hernandez; Molina, Caballero, Arzu; Norales, Padilla (Alvarez 46), Thomas, Rodas (Sanchez 66), Claros; Martinez, Pavon
Italy: Viviano; De Silvestri, Bocchetti (Coda 72), Criscito, De Ceglie; Cigarini, Montolivo, Nocerino; Giovinco (Marchisio 78), Rossi (Abate 59), Acquafresca
Cards: Yellow/Italy (De Silvestri, Cigarini), Yellow/Honduras (Hernandez)
Goals: Giovinco 41, Rossi 44 (Pen), Acquafresca 52, (Pen).
La Nazionale were dominant from start to finish as they send a stark message to the rest of the competition.
Honduras hardly threatened as Casiraghi’s men stroll to victory with a professional and accomplished performance.
First Half
Italy started the brighter of the two teams and it was Pierluigi Casiraghi’s men who looked the most dangerous early on.
In the first 5 minutes Acquafresca was clean through on goal but the keeper saved with his feet following some excellent work by Giovinco.
Minutes later, Giovinco beat his man down the left brilliantly, and the ball eventually found its way to Fiorentina midfielder Ricardo Montolivo, whose shot from the edge of the box was turned round the post by Hernandez.
Italy had most of the possession in the first half, but Honduras began to grow into the game.
Giovinco was the star man, and the crowd roared every time he touched the ball. He created another chance midway through the half with a cross that Rossi nodded wide. It was the Villarreal hit-man who once again tested Hernandez in goal with a powerful drive. At the other end, Azzurri goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano hardly had much to do but he did make a good save from Luis Rodas who struck from distance.
On 41 minutes Italy finally made the breakthrough and inevitably it was Giovinco. The 21-year-old burst forward and unleashed a stunning, swerving left foot shot from 25 yards into the top corner. The finish was top-class as the Juve man makes his mark in China. Hernandez had no chance as the ball rattled the roof of the net - a well deserved lead for the Azzurri.
Honduras then imploded and a minute before the break they conceded a penalty as Arzu handballed in the box. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot following the deliberate infringement. Rossi stepped up and coolly slotted into the corner. It was a great strike, allowing Italy to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Giovinco was outstanding in the first half. Honduras just couldn’t keep him under tabs as he spread his magic all over the pitch.
Second Half
The Azzurri began the second period in the same way they had ended the first. Giovinco broke free down the right and crossed in a pin-point ball into Acquafresca, but the Cagliari striker’s header was wayward.
The Juve starlet then linked up with Rossi. However, the striker’s brilliant left foot effort was saved by Hernandez.
It wouldn't be long before Italy added to their lead. Acquafresca was again at the centre of the action. He was one on one with the 'keeper, who brought him down, following Cigarini's through ball. It was a clumsy foul with a slight suspiscion of a dive by the Cagliari man. The referee pointed to the spot and Aquafresca, who won the kick, stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner.
The game’s rhythm then slowed down and Honduras never looked like getting back into the fray. However, they were handed a chance to make the score line look a bit more respectable. De Silvestri conceded a penalty but Pavon blasted his effort woefully over the bar. The miss summed up Honduras’ day.
Giovinco was substituted to a standing ovation as the crowd saluted the young prodigy, who had been simply sensational. Viviano was called into a couple of decent saves in the final minutes as he tipped Cabellero’s pile driver over the bar.
However, the game fizzled out and Italy looked a little tired as the clock ticked towards full time. The Azzurrini risked conceding as they took their foot off the gas but they held on to run out comfortable winners.
Teams:
Honduras: Hernandez; Molina, Caballero, Arzu; Norales, Padilla (Alvarez 46), Thomas, Rodas (Sanchez 66), Claros; Martinez, Pavon
Italy: Viviano; De Silvestri, Bocchetti (Coda 72), Criscito, De Ceglie; Cigarini, Montolivo, Nocerino; Giovinco (Marchisio 78), Rossi (Abate 59), Acquafresca
Cards: Yellow/Italy (De Silvestri, Cigarini), Yellow/Honduras (Hernandez)
Goals: Giovinco 41, Rossi 44 (Pen), Acquafresca 52, (Pen).
Italy got off to a great start in their group B match with a easy 3-0 win over Honduras.
41′ Giovinco
45′ Giuseppe Rossi penalty
52′ Acquafresca penalty
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