ROME – The Giovanissimi Regionali have made the best possible start to 2015, reaching the final of the inaugural edition of the Halima Haider Memorial tournament. Marco Mandelli’s side served up a resounding 4-1 victory over Juventus at the Centro Sportivo Nuova Tor Tre Teste in Rome.
Mandelli’s men got their cup run underway on Saturday 3 January with an incredible 15-0 thrashing of Racing Club. The U14s followed this up with another big win, making light work of Cesena with a 6-2 victory, the goals coming from Ansani (18), Mangiarotti (44), Ishmael Opoku (46), Sakho (50 and 69) and Carlino (64). The result meant Inter qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Nonetheless, the fact that their passage was already assured did nothing to quell the hunger of the young Nerazzurri, who produced another thrashing as they beat Torino 5-0 in their last group game. Mangiarotti (5), Sakho (15 and 48), Vergani (20) and Guedegbe (64) supplied the goals that time, meaning that the Giovanissimi Regionali finished Group C with maximum points.
Juventus stood in the way of a final berth for Mandelli’s Nerazzurri. Unfazed, they dominated from the first second. A flurry of chances ensued, with an own goal from Brero (4) and a meaty Sakho header (6) propelling Inter into an early lead.
Despite the fearsome tempo established by the Nerazzurri, Juve were able to get a goal back before the half-time whistle through Diallo. It would prove to be scant consolidation, however, as normal service resumed after the break. Vergani (57) and Opoku (71) put the result beyond doubt to seal a deserved spot in the final for Mandelli’s side.
The final is scheduled to kick-off at 10:30 CET tomorrow. The Giovanissimi Regionali will be up against Roma, who beat Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the other semi-final.
