Derby win

[Peter McGrath]

Following two instantly forgettable games during which the ICTP team 
shipped 21 goals and only managed to score one, the lads finally 
managed a victory.
The fact that it was the ‘derby’ game against SISSA made the result 
even more welcome than the first win of the season would usually be.
The game started brightly for ICTP, with good possession and a few 
chances carved out, but it was SISSA that went ahead, piling up a 
two-goal lead against the run of play.
ICTP hit back with a period of sustained pressure during which Sandro 
Rakar (Adminstration) sent one shot curling just over the bar, Gabriele 
Pesco (Maintenance) skimmed the crossbar with another effort, and Fred 
Kucharski (Weather and Climate Group) blasted another against the foot 
of the post.
But it wasn’t until half-time was drawing close that ICTP finally 
managed to get on the score-sheet. Pesco reacted first to a quick 
throw-in from Kucharski, side-footing his volley past the SISSA keeper.
Half time: ICTP1 - SISSA 2.
ICTP started the second half as they finished the first, with good 
possession and a sequence of chances – and it wasn’t long before they 
went into the lead. With the ‘new signing’ from Argentina, Gabriel 
Longo (Condensed Matter Physics postdoc), making things click in 
midfield and the other newcomer, Norbert Ebai from Cameroon (Physics 
diploma student) making his presence felt up front, confidence started 
to flood through the side.
Goals from Longo, Kucharski and another brace from top-scorer Pesco 
meant that ICTP stayed ahead, but SISSA continued to battle well and 
would never let ICTP build up more than a two-goal lead.
With a few minutes left, having earlier also hit the woodwork, Ebai got 
his first goal for ICTP – restoring a comfortable two-goal cushion.
But still SISSA fought back to sneak another goal, bringing the score 
to 6-5.
A final furious few minutes saw Peter McGrath and goalie Nino Coppola 
(both TWAS) defending that narrow lead from a frenetic SISSA flurry.
The final whistle was greeted by an equal measure of elation among the 
ICTP ranks and disappointment among the SISSA players. SISSA remain 
rooted to the bottom of the table, five points behind ICTP who have now 
mustered four points from six games. Work that one out!


Peter McGrath
TWAS acting programme officer
TWAS
ICTP campus
Strada Costiera 11
Trieste 34019
Italy
Tel: +39 040 2240 571
Fax: +39 040 224559
Email: mcgrath at twas.org

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