VIVA WORLD CUP 2010

OCCITANIA WIN DIRECT CLASH TO EARN A PLACE WITH THE LAST FOUR

The direct clash for the second spot on the table of Group 1 ended up with a convincing win for Occitania over hosts Gozo.  The French Paved the way to qualification with two goals scored during the first period so that the Gozitans were demoralised and out of contention by the end of the first half.  Occitania opened the score from a penalty scored during the first minute and doubled the score during a patch of play when Gozo were producing a reaction in an attempt to recover the deficit.  During the second period Occitania controlled with authority, took advantage of an extra player on the field and scored two late goals to register the largest victory of the tournament so far.  Overall, Occitania’s win arrived with the least possible effort as they took advantage of Gozo’s inexperience.  The French side will now face Kurdistan in the semi-final while Gozo will play the match for the fifth and sixth place against Provence.

  Gozo had an uphill struggle from the very beginning.  After just fifteen seconds of play Occitania’s Sebastien Taillan ended on the floor in the area when pressed by Peter Buttigieg.  The referee awarded a penalty and Marc Ballue converted from the spot kick.  Gozo’s immediate reaction was sterile and Occitania could have doubled the score on 14 minutes with a fast break but Gomet’s shot missed the target.  One minute later an effort by Gamet was partially saved by Mark Grima and from the resultant melee the referee awarded an indirect free kick in the area as Gozo’s defender passed the ball to the goalkeeper.  On 22 minutes Gozo’s goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save following an attempt by Soro.  Gozo started to create some danger midway through the first period. 

  On 25 minutes Milos Stojanovic came face to face with the goalkeeper following a counter attack but the extreme defender managed to block the shot from the edge of the area.  Two minute later it was John Camilleri who had an angled shot that ended just wide.  Occitania doubled the score on 36 minutes.  Goalie Grima only saved partially a long ranged free kick, from the rebound the goalkeeper blocked the close ranged attempt by Gomet but the ball arrived to Marc Ballue who deposited in goal from the second rebound.  Gozo could have reopened the issue five minutes from half time but goalie Jimmy Leban managed to save with difficulty a long ranged free kick by Akande Williams.

  On 56 minutes Gozo suffered a set back when they ended with ten players as Mario Azzopardi was sent for an early shower for a dangerous foul on Soro.  Occitania extended their lead through s fine strike by Sebastien Taillan who was unmarked in the area by Soro.  One minute later Soro failed to conclude from close distance following a cross from the left flank addressed to the second post.  On 73 minutes Gozo’s goalkeeper made a good intervention to save a fine attempt by Julien Cantier.  On 78 minutes Occitania’s defender Danyach denied Gozo from a consolation goal when he cleared off the line a header by Milos Stojanovic from a free kick by Simoncic.  Four minutes later it was goalie Grima who made a good save to block a close ranged shot by Bastier.  Occitania continued to dominate during the dying moments of the match and sealed the issue with a spectacular goal that arrived two minutes from time.  It was Jordan Amiel who placed out of Franklin Vella’s reach with an overhead kick following a cross from the right by Boris Naumcenski.

  After the final whistle Occitania went next to the dressing rooms to applaud their opponents in a gesture of true sportsmanship that was very much appreciated.

Referee: Per Ander Blind (Sweden)

Asst. Referees: 1^st Azad Karim Hatam (Kurdistan), 2^nd Luciano Casnati (Italia)

4^th Official: Claudio Guida (Italia)

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