Chapter 210: Another one
In the second round of the Italian Cup round of 16, Inter Milan hosted Sampdoria at home. In the first leg, they not only defeated their opponents 2-1 but also scored two away goals, giving them a significant advantage.
At the start of the game, Sampdoria, unwilling to sit back and wait for defeat, launched an attack. Parlonbo dribbled down the wing and crossed into the box. Quagliarella headed the ball towards the goal, catching goalkeeper Toldo off guard. However, the ball hit the post and bounced back, then cleared by Zambrotta.
This attack sent shivers down the spines of the Inter Milan players, who quickly abandoned their lazy attitude and focused on the game.
In the 33rd minute, during an Inter Milan attack, Ribery dribbled down the wing. Wang Feng and Vieri were lurking in the box, so he chose to cross.
The ball passed the near post where Vieri couldn't reach it, but Wang Feng, behind Sampdoria defender Carozzieri, saw the ball about to be intercepted. Wang Feng quickly darted forward from Carozzieri's side and headed the ball into the net before the opponent could react.
Carozzieri, thinking about how to clear the ball, was caught off guard by Wang Feng's sudden movement, and the ball flew into the net.
Inter Milan extended their lead!
Sampdoria didn't have many good opportunities for the rest of the game.
With an aggregate score of 3-1 over two legs, Inter Milan advanced to the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup, where they will face AS Roma, a team showing strong performances in the league, promising to be a tough battle.
After the game, everyone hurried to Japan to participate in the 24th Toyota Cup. As the reigning Champions League champions, they would face Boca Juniors, the champions of the Copa Libertadores.
As the team with the most intercontinental championships in South America, Boca Juniors has a long and illustrious history, nurturing legendary players like Maradona and Batistuta.
Inter Milan only participated in the Toyota Cup in 1964 and 1965, winning it twice during what was known as the "Great Inter Milan Era."
Now, with Inter Milan's comprehensive revival, they naturally aimed to compete for this championship. Despite the fatigue of the players, head coach Mancini still deployed his main lineup.
The match was held at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. It was Wang Feng's first time playing in Japan, and as the first Asian player to win the Ballon d'Or, he was extremely popular there.
Signs bearing Wang Feng's name were visible everywhere in the stands, many of them written in Chinese characters. When Wang Feng entered the field, the cheers and screams from the crowd were deafening.
Inter Milan and Boca Juniors both adopted the conventional 4-4-2 formation. The Argentine powerhouse team had several impressive players who could potentially move to European leagues.
Boca Juniors' starting goalkeeper was Abondancieri, with Pereyra, Scaviavi, Budiso, and Rodriguez in defense.
The midfield consisted of D'Onofrio, Battaglia, Cascini, and Cania.
The forwards were Iarley and Schelotto.
With the referee's whistle, the game officially began. Due to their lack of familiarity with each other and the knockout format of the game, both teams played cautiously, mainly testing each other.
But in the tenth minute, Boca Juniors launched an attack, and after Pereyra lofted the ball into the box, Schelotto fell during a tussle with Zambrotta, and the referee awarded Boca a penalty!
Schelotto converted the penalty himself, making it 1-0!
"Inter Milan temporarily trails, it seems they need to pick up the pace of the game." The commentator on-site remarked, "The first ten minutes of the game seemed a bit dull, but it should become much more exciting from now on."
As the commentator spoke, Inter Milan won the ball in midfield and Santi passed to Ribery.
Ribery sent a long pass, bypassing Boca Juniors' defense, and Wang Feng quickly moved forward, intercepting the ball ahead of everyone. He then dribbled into the box, faced goalkeeper Abondancieri, and shot low into the bottom left corner, equalizing the score.
"Less than two minutes after Boca's goal, Inter Milan equalizes! A perfect connection between Ribery and Wang Feng, their understanding is impeccable."
The pace of the game remained fast, with both sides launching attacks and thrilling the fans in the stands.
In the 31st minute, Boca Juniors won a free-kick opportunity near the edge of the Inter Milan penalty area. Rodriguez took the shot, and after Toldo parried the ball, Iarley scored from close range, putting Boca Juniors ahead again.
Just before halftime, Wang Feng dribbled down the right, bypassed Scaviavi, and crossed into the box. Vieri headed the ball into the net, despite Abondancieri's fingertips touching it, couldn't prevent it from going in.
2-2! Both sides were level at halftime.
In the second half, Boca Juniors quickly launched an attack after kick-off. Battaglia and Cascini played a series of passes in the midfield, using their delicate South American footwork to break through Inter Milan's defense. However, Zanetti's interference prevented the final shot, which was collected by Toldo.
Inter Milan then launched a quick counterattack, with Zanetti passing to Dharma, who then passed to Ribery. After two accurate passes, the ball quickly reached the front.
Ribery sent a through ball into the box, and Wang Feng quickly moved forward. However, Boca Juniors' goalkeeper Abondancieri decisively rushed out, combined with Ribery's pass being a bit too long, Wang Feng almost ended up in the goalkeeper's arms when receiving the ball.
There was no shooting angle! In desperation, Wang Feng flicked the ball forward with the tip of his right foot, evading the goalkeeper's outstretched hands. At the same time, he leaped over Abondancieri with both feet in the air.
He caught up with the ball near the sideline, as Abondancieri quickly got up from the ground and rushed towards him, with Boca defender Scaviavi also coming to block.
With the passing route blocked, Wang Feng decided to take a gamble. He used the outside of his left foot to shoot directly, and the ball curved in the air, entering the far corner of the goal.
"Goooooooooooooooooooal!! The ball's in!! Inter Milan takes the lead again!"
"A zero-angle shot by Wang Feng! It's beautiful! He almost kicked a curved shot while stepping on the sideline."
"Ribery's pass was already in the hands of Boca's goalkeeper Abondancieri, but Wang Feng forcefully snatched it back and seized the opportunity to shoot amidst the blockade. Such finishing ability in front of the goal is unparalleled in the world of football."
With two goals and an assist from Wang Feng, Inter Milan eventually defeated Boca Juniors 3-2, winning the 2003 Toyota Cup!
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