Pelizzoli rescues Roma
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Article summary
Ivan Pelizzoli was the hero as AS Roma moved into the Italian Cup quarter-finals by beating Triestina Calcio.
Article body
AS Roma moved into the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup after winning their third-round tie against Serie B club Triestina Calcio 4-1 on penalties on Tuesday.
All to play for
There was all to play for at the Olympic stadium after the first leg in the north-eastern city of Trieste had ended 1-1 a fortnight ago. Roma went ahead in the 34th minute when their Brazilian midfielder Francisco Lima fired a shot across the face of the area and Triestina defender Domenico Maietta turned the ball into his own net.
Determined football
But Triestina, who showed why they currently lead Serie B, played some determined football and drew level on 72 minutes when Dino Fava headed in a cross from Jehad Muntasser. Triestina then had midfield player Alessandro Budel sent off three minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence and were forced to play the entire 30 minutes of extra time with ten men.
Pelizzoli heroics
With Roma unable to break through, the tie was settled on penalties. Fabio Capello's side were saved embarrassment by their 22-year-old goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli, a Triestina player in 1999/00, who kept out efforts from Francesco Bega and Mirco Gubellini as Roma won the shoot-out 4-1. Four more third-round ties will be settled on Wednesday.
