Tuesday, February 05, 2008

U21: Rossi the difference for Azzurrini

Friendly: Italy U21 2-1 Netherlands U21 (Ferrara)
Goals from Daniel Pablo Osvaldo and Giuseppe Rossi gave Italy victory against European Under-21 champions the Netherlands at the Stadio Paolo Mazza in Ferrara.

Both teams qualified for the Olympic football tournament last summer and used this friendly as preparation for next August's Games in Beijing.

The visitors enjoyed more of the possession but it was the Azzurrini that showed the greater cutting edge.


Pierluigi Casiraghi's side went into half-time in front after Rossi fed Osvaldo on the break and the Fiorentina striker fired past the on-rushing Piet Velthuizen in the Dutch goal.

Rossi added the second after the restart when his shot was deflected by Henrico Drost beyond Velthuizen.

Royston Drenthe pulled one back 15 minutes from time, but Ryan Donk's dismissal soon after effectively ended Dutch hopes.

The Under-23 tournament at the Olympics begin on August 6. The draw will be made on April 20 in Beijing.

Source: UEFA

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