 04-07-07, 05:14 PM | #178 (permalink) |
| Used In Squad Rotation Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 366 Thanks: 74 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0 | 
 Torino - Ajax 13th of December 2007 Stadio Olimpico, Turin UEFA Cup 2007/2008; Group Stage; Gameweek 5    46'  Masashi Oguro, 58' Cacau - 5' Jan Verthongen, 43' Mauro Rosales
Torino got a surprise draw with Ajax in this final game of disappointing and eventful UEFA Cup trip with Cacau grabbing his first ever goal for Torino and Masahi Oguro scoring in his first game this season.
UEFA Cup had been a disaster for Torino and they went againi with second choice players to face Ajax at home as Masashi Oguro was picked to play for the first time this season.
The match got a predicted start as Mauro Rosales corner was headed in by midfielder Jan Verthongen close to the six-yard box.
Verthongen then tried to shoot from ground aswell with a strong low shot from the edge of the area, but it didn't beat the former Fiorentina and Roma goalie Cristiano Lupatelli.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed wide as Ajax continued to dominate and finally it paid off as Mauro Rosales was allowed to shoot a Gabri cross in without problems at far post.
Marco Rossi was surpringly bringed in as right-back for the second half and Iacopo Balestri came on for Stefano Fiore as Torino got an immediate goal at the start of the half.
Rossi's first touch as right-back ended up being a great cross which Masashi Oguro headed in at near post to open up the game.
And just twelve minutes later Torino got another one, Di Natale sent a long ball foward which Cacau collected before rounding past Ajax goalkeeper and sending a low ball to guardless net. It was his first ever goal in Torino shirt.
Di Natale himself tried to score an amazing bicycle kick from 20 metres out, but his shot went harmlessly wide of the Ajax goal.
Torino was having a great seocnd half, but Andrea Mei failed to convert a Di Natale pass after being left alone in box as he hit it wide of the far post from good position.
Lupatelli made a great save on strong lob of Stephen Appiah from outside the area as he tiped the precisely hit ball over the bar.
Cedric Konan sideneted an Angelo Obinze Ogbonna pass while De Ascentis put Torino ahead in final minute, but the goal was disallowed correctly for offside.
Torino finished the group as 4th, two points behind Zaragoza, but even winning this game would've probably not help as Torino had a -4 goal difference.
Torino: 32-Cristiano Lupatelli; 16-Giuseppe Pancaro (45' 23-Marco Rossi), 3-Andrea Mei, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 18-Angelo Obinze Ogbonna; 7-Stefano Fiore (45' 22-Iacopo Balestri), 15-Diego De Ascentis, 20-Cedric Konan; 13-Antonio Di Natale; 9-Cacau, 12-Masashi Oguro
Other Result
Zaragoza 1:1 Aalborg
Torino Position: 4th |
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