Inter Women in America: victory over Chivas on penalties

BROWNSVILLE – Inter Women's pre-season tour in America has ended in victory with plenty to be happy about ahead of the official opening of the new season. At the Brownsville Sports Park in Texas, Rita Guarino's Nerazzurre beat Chivas de Guadalajara on penalties.

For the game against the Mexican team, the Nerazzurre lined up with Durante in goal, Alborghetti and Kristjansdottir in central defence, new signing Mihashi controlling things in the middle of the park, with Karchouni supporting Marinelli up top. The first half ended goalless after a half where Inter tried to break down the opponent's defence without any real success. The only real chance of the half came to Chivas with Montoya directing a corner kick straight towards goal, but keeper Durante was alert to save the attempt. Brustia came on to replace Dragoni at the interval but it was the Mexican side who immediately took the lead at the restart through Soto. On 56 minutes, Rita Guarino put on substitutes Simonetti, Fordos, Sonstevold and Santi and the changes had an effect; on 63 minutes, the Nerazzurre's equaliser arrived. A defensive clearance from inside Chivas' own box only found Karchouni who, through a wonderful display of skill, brought the ball down, controlled it and on the half-volley fired an unstoppable shot into the net from 20 yards out. The match came alive from there on after with Inter having several chances through Dragoni and Pandini. But the winning goal didn't come and at the end of four minutes of injury time, the game went to penalties. Paldini and Santi stepped up first to score and Durante saved the all-important final penalty from Magallanes, triggering Rita Guarino's girls into wild celebrations at the end in Texas.

CHIVAS – INTER WOMEN 1-1 (2-3 after penalties)

Scorers: 48’ Soto, 63’ Karchouni

PENALTY ORDER: Pandini GOAL; Acevedo GOAL; Santi GOAL; Bernal SAVED; Simonetti SAVED; De Alba GOAL; Regazzoli GOAL; Ramirez HIT THE BAR; Sonstevold MISSED; Magallanes SAVED.

CHIVAS: 12 Félix; 26 Torres, 4 González, 5 Bernal, 3 Godínez; 15 Soto, 18 Bejarano, 8 Jaramillo, 13 Montoya; 10 Iturbide, 24 Cervantes. Coach: Juan Pablo Alfaro.

INTER WOMEN: 22 Durante, 13 Merlo (66’ Passeri), 19 Alborghetti (66’ Vergani), 29 Kristjansdottir (56’ Fordos), 14 Robustellini (56’ Sonstevold); 27 Csiszar (56’ Santi), 34 Mihashi (56’ Simonetti), 5 Karchouni (66’ Regazzoli); 18 Pandini, 7 Marinelli (66’ Calegari), 8 Brustia (46’ Dragoni). Coach: Rita Guarino.