Afghanistan v Italy
Afghanistan (5) v Italy (8)
In the first half Italy dominated in terms of the scoreline, speeding to a 4-1 lead with powerful and accurate finishing. An unstoppable strike off a free kick by the Italian number 5 was disallowed because it didn't touch anyone on the way through. Just before half time the Afghans got a goal back through number 12 to make it 4-2 going into half time, with Italy winning but Afghanistan improving as the game went on.
Italy scored straight after the restart but the Afghan number 5 finished a determined passing move to make the scoreline 5-3. Both keepers were on top form, but an athletic double save from the Afghan goalie couldn't prevent the Italian number 8 from making it 6-3. Another well taken, powerful strike by the Italian number 4 increased the Italian's lead to make it 7-4 soon afterwards, but two successive Afghan strikes from numbers 5 and 6 brought the score closer to 7-5. The Afghan goalkeeper had hands like glue to prevent the Italians from scoring further, but was eventually beaten as the Italian number 4 sealed the game's final score at 8-5.
Ultimately an open game with plenty of shots and two very busy goalkeepers, there were very few tough tackles as both teams played an impressive passing game. One of the games of the tournament so far.