The game was played at AC Milan’s youth training centre on a latest generation artificial turf field. Game time was 4:00 p.m., the weather was mostly cloudy and the game time temperature was 16 C.
Starting eleven in a 4-3-3 format:
- Goal-keeper: Xander Huggins
- Defence: Joseph Penello, Quante Abbot-Hill-Smith, Adam Polakiewicz, Shane Satar
- Mid-field: Alex Halis, Bryce Alderson, Keven Aleman
- Forwards: Omari Morris, Jalen Brome, Wesley Cain
In a reversal of their opening game form, Ontario applied pressure to the AC Milan defence and mid-field from the beginning and created a number of good chances. The best opportunity early in the game fell to Keven Aleman who took a good through ball from Omari Morris on the left wing but was challenged by the AC Milan keeper and defence and couldn’t put the ball in the net.
Meanwhile, the Italian side looked dangerous with their occasional fast breaks, but the Ontario defence was able to hold them at bay.
Ontario broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when a long cross-ball was collected nicely by Shane Satar on the right wing. His cross to the far post found Omari Morris just a few yards out, and he made no mistake putting the ball in the back of the net to give Ontario a 1-0 lead.
AC Milan almost scored in the 32nd minute as another fast break had the Ontario defence beaten, but the Milan forward – after rounding the Ontario keeper – hit the post with his shot towards the empty goal.
Towards the end of the half, Ontario had a couple more good chances – including a goal disallowed on an off-side – but there was no more scoring.
Team Ontario started the second half with the same players, but after about 10 minutes made a mass change to the following line-up:
- Goal-keeper: Quillan Roberts
- Defence: Parker Seymour, Kai Morton, Raffaele Nesci, Mekonen Lovemore-White,
- Mid-field: Benjamin Futoriansky, Ryan Grant, Ryan James
- Forwards: Chris Mannella, Piotr Obyrtacz, Nicholas Garcia
AC Milan had also made a number of changes at the half and were able to put more pressure on the Ontario defence and created a number of chances. However, they were unable to make finish.
The Ontario Boys were also proving dangerous at times and, in a two minute spell in the middle of the half, Ryan Grant had a good shot on goal as he cut in from the left wing and then Chris Mannella broke in from the right but put his shot just high and wide.
Almost immediately, play moved up the other end and AC Milan forced a corner. From the resulting kick, Milan tied up the game 1-1 with a headed goal.
In the remaining ten minutes, both teams had chances to win the game but no-one could put the ball in the net and the game ended as 1-1 tie.
Final Score: Team Ontario 1 – 1 AC Milan
Friday is an off-day as far as games are concerned but the team will fit in two practice sessions during the day. Next game is on Saturday against a local team from Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, Svizzera.
Report and photo by Bill Spiers / OSA Rep
Roster:
For pre-tour comments, see March 5th OSATv TouchLine interviews with coach Patrick Tobo, forward Omari Morris and goal-keeper Xander Huggins.
