Speaker 1: Italian champions inter Milan captured their first piece of pre
season silverware, overcoming English giants Manchester City three to one
in a penalty shootout following and entertaining one to one
draw at a packed Kai Tax Stadium in Hong Kong.
The high profile exhibition clash carried immen's intrigue as it
marked Enzo Maresca's first official match in charge of Manchester
City since taking over the managerial reins. Maresca named a
strong starting eleven, featuring Phil Foden as captain alongside summer
signing John Luigi Donirama in goal. City took control early
and seized the lead in the fourteenth minute when winger
Antoine Semenio burst down the right flank before delivering a
precise low cross for young striker Divin Obama to tap
home from close range. However, inter responded with characteristic resilience.
Just six minutes later, the Narazuri leveled the contest through
French defender Benjamin Pivard Following a sustained spell of pressure
and a block dinish cross. Pivard reacted fastest inside a
crowded penalty area to guide a precise finish into the
bottom corner past Donorama. Both teams continued to exchange dangerous
opportunities before the interval, with Donorama producing sharp saves to
deny Alexander Stankovich and Federico de Marco. The intensity remained
high after halftime despite sweeping personnel adjustments from both managers.
Manchester City generated the clearer second half opportunities, with defender
Vitor Reese crashing a header against the crossbar from a
corner before substitute goalkeeper Ivan proved Del produced a stunning
point blank save on the follow up. City was denied
by the woodwork once more ten minutes from time, when
young winger Ryan Magado saw his curling effort strike the post.
With regulation ending level at one to one, the contest
proceeded directly to a penalty shootout to decide the destination
of the Asahi Super Dry Trophy. Prove Del emerged as
Ter's hero, frustrating Cities penalty takers as three of Manchester
City's four efforts failed to find the net. Inter's converted
spot kicks secured a three to one shootout triumph, allowing
the Serie A side to lift the trophy in front
of forty two thousand fans while handing MORESCA a competitive
learning experience ahead of cities remaining Asian Tour fixtures