Football: International friendly-US Cremonese win nine-goal thriller |03 June 2005

The Italians sounded the first warning bell in the opening minute after a mistake by Red Star’s captain Percy Laramé let in Jose Lacagnina whose shot was well dealt with by goalkeeper Joel Lesperance.

US Cremonese, who had been out of action for almost two months, tried to slow down the pace and pass the ball around which is typical Italian style. Red Star though opted for a quick approach which paid dividends in the 10th minute.
Bernard St Ange unleashed a cracker from 30 metres out and it flew into the top corner for a stunning goal.

Red Star’s speed in attack worried the Italians and in the 21st minute, Taly sprung forward to cut the ball back to Wilnes Brutus who should have done better but allowed goalie Giorgio Bianchi to turn his shot into corner.

Brutus made amends four minutes later as he latched on to a Danny Rose pass to thump the ball past a bewildered Bianchi for a 2-0 lead.

The Italians had to react and they made two changes. They were offered a chance to get back into the match when Laramé handled a cross inside his own penalty area. Assistant referee Marty Fanny had his flag up and referee Jourdan Benstrong pointed to the penalty spot. Andrea Coleto sent goalie Lesperance the wrong way to reduce the arrears.

In the 42nd minute, Mirko Benina forayed forward to set up Lacagnina whose low shot rolled under the body of goalie Lesperance to level the score at 2-2.

The Italians should have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time but for once Lacagnina delayed his shot when in the clear, allowing goalie Lesperance to block his effort.

US Cremonese tried to deny Red Star space in the second period as they brought more finesse to their play. In the 57th minute, the impressive Gino Ciannascoli’s lofted free-kick was played into the far corner of the net by Marcello Campolongini to give his team the lead for the first time in the match.

Eight minutes later, Red Star clawed back as Mario Donadoni handled the ball from a Wilnes Brutus pass to his brother Jeffrey. Once again, assistant referee Fanny, who had a good game, brought the incident to the attention of referee Benstrong who awarded Red Star a penalty kick.

Brian Ravinia scored emphatically from the penalty spot to level the score.

The Italians, who began to tire, should have been punished in the 69th minute after Radley Monthy stole the ball from Donadoni but he hurried his shot when he had more time to make the visitors pay for their lapse of concentration.

Both sides were relentless in their search for more goals but it was Red Star who scored the next in the 76th minute through Jeffrey Brutus. He rifled the ball into the top corner giving goalie Bianchi no chance and even US Cremonese coach Giorgio Roselli singled out the goal as the best of the match.

Red Star though gave away a clumsy penalty by inexperienced Richard David in the 79th minute as he allowed Campolongini into tempting him into a reckless tackle. Campolongini though fired straight at substitute goalie Andrew Valentin who made a double save to thwart the danger.

Valentin turned from hero to villain in the 84th minute. His poor distribution fell to Lacagnina who quickly lobbed into an empty goal with keeper Valentin caught in no man’s land.
Red Star almost stole the lead in the 90th minute as substitute Patrick Barra’s sweet header from Ravinia’s hopeful free-kick seemed to be heading for the top corner of the goal, but goalie Bianchi produced a top drawer save to push the ball into corner.

The Italians then broke the hearts of Red Star as they scored with virtually the last kick of the game. Mirko Benina rounded goalie Valentin before shooting home to bring the final score to 5-4.

Red Star’s Malagasy coach Mosa was not broken-hearted with the defeat but instead congratulated his players for a superb display which he added served as a good preparation for next week’s match against St Michel.

As for US Cremonese’s coach Roselli, he insisted that the result was not important as they are here on holiday.

He added that he was impressed with Wilnes Brutus’ performance and noted that they are eager to take him to their academy in Switzerland.

R. J-L.