Viareggio Tournament Update: U20s Sydney Tigers scoreless in first trial hit-out against F.C. Viareggio

Although Viareggio dominated possession throughout, it was the Australian side that fashioned the majority of the chances.

As early as the 4^th minute, a diagonal through-ball by left back Frank Riggio sent Andrew Casali clear on the right hand side of the box but his shot was well saved by the keeper.
From the resulting corner, Matthew Baloglow had his header saved when he should have scored from an um-marked position.
Casali had another chance mid-way through the first half, Davide Talone?s free-kick finding the right-midfielder again un-marked but his shot from a tight angle didn?t trouble the keeper.
Sydney Tigers then began to become more comfortable on the ball especially in the latter 10 minutes of the first stanza.
Firstly Tom Taylor hustled the back-four to create his own opportunity, shooting just wide of the up-right from 20 metres, Osman Kose heading over un-marked in the 36^th minute.
The second half again opened with an early chance for the Aussies, substitute Callum McGrouther playing in Matt Costantini but his volley after some brilliant build-up was fired straight at the keeper.
A venomous long-throw from McGrouther created another opportunity minutes later, Taylor flicking for Costantini, his lay-off set up Kose for a perfectly struck volley that stung the keepers? hands.
Viareggio fashioned their first real chance of the match, Moretti dancing past two defenders but his shot failed to test Varnier in goal for the Aussies. 
Viareggio almost took a psychological advantage minutes after with a free-kick crossed out wide from left back Cherubini was not dealt with in the crowded penalty area by the Tigers backline and the slightest deflection could have left Varnier stranded, luckily for Sydney Tigers the dangerously whipped dead-ball managed to elude everyone in the 18 yard box.
The thought of almost conceding pole-vaulted Sydney Tigers into momentum and in the following ten minutes they nearly took the lead. A corner from the left found Nedjet Sahin again free of any defenders, his header cleared off the line in a scramble.
In the 75^th minute some brilliant play from the counter-attack fashioned Tigers’ most golden opportunity of the match. Substitute Liam McConaghy used his body to bring down a long ball from stand-in captain Daniel Ramirez. In two touches the big striker fed his forward partner McGrouther, who?s snap-shot from the edge of the area whistled past the apex of the goal and left Viareggio goal-keeper Corradini flat footed.
The two forwards swapped roles in the 80^th minute, McGrouther supplying McConaghly with a sublime through-ball. The big frontman didn?t have the time to settle in front of goal, shooting straight into the legs of Corradini with the goal at his mercy.
A minute later McConaghy had the last clear opportunity of the match, albeit the most difficult, his attempted bicycle kick taking a wicked deflection that lobbed into Corradini?s hands.
Sydney Tigers coach Barry Walker was in high spirits after the match praising his side for its superb play in defence and was happy that his strikers fashioned a few opportunities.
?Great game, great facilities. Really competitive and played in a great spirit. I was extremely happy that the four boys I used in rotation up-front created some brilliant chances, now we just have to put them away. But that all comes with confidence, said Walker.
?The back-line was very good too. I was quite happy that they worked hard as a unit and more importantly kept a clean-sheet,? he concluded.
Match Stats
F.C Viareggio 0 vs SYDNEY TIGERS 0
Sydney Tigers: Varnier; Collard, Ramirez(c), Sahin, Riggio; Baloglow, Casali, Costantini, Kose; Campo, Taylor
Substitutes: Trifiro, McConaghy, Macura, Talone, McGrouther,
Coach: Barry Walker
Goals:
Viareggio: CORRADINI; MATTIUZZO, CHERUBINI, MANDORLINI, FERRATO; CARAFFINI, TAGLIAFIERRO, MORETTI (CARELLA 75^th), PAPONI; DEL SOLE (LORENZINI), PIN, (GALLI 75^th)
Substitutes: GATTI, MARTINI,
Coach: Antonio D?Agostino

-By Joe Piazza