IT was a closer-than-expected result when International locked horns with Millicent in the second Limestone Coast Football Association pre-season cup semi-final under lights at Casadio Park last Thursday.
The Anzac Day clash saw Inter with an eventual 3-0 win, but a half-time score of 1-0 was a tight margin by the reigning premier’s standards.
However, coach Tony D’Agostino said the game went as expected.
“We were under no pretences it was going to be an easy game,” he said.
“We know Millicent is a lot better than they were last year.
“It was their opportunity to make a final, so their whole town was behind them.
“We knew we were going to have a very tough game and they were going to try and play a bit more defensive and not let us get away with early goals.
“We had to be patient and I think our whole game plan was exactly right.”
That patience was rewarded in the first half with a solid goal from captain Christian Cella.
Matt Bueti had a good run down the field and unselfishly crossed the ball to Cella, who finished off well.
That set up a buffer at half time and when Bueti banged home two goals of his own after the break Inter came away with a comfortable win.
With a couple of players out, D’Agostino was impressed with the juniors who stood up to the task.
In particular Austin Rossi was impressive, after he played almost a full game of Under 17’s earlier in the afternoon, before backing it up with a full senior match.
He joined fellow youngster Tyler Michielan as a starter, while D’Agostino was also pleased with Skayper Johnson’s efforts filling the shoes of one of Inter’s stars.
“He had to come in when Dan Bronca was injured and take on more of the load,” D’Agostino said.
“He did it perfectly and that was really good for us.”
Outside of the talented youth in the side, D’Agostino said it was the leadership group which “came to the fore”.
“Nick Morony was a standout and so was Ricky McRobert in the back line,” he said.
“And you just cannot go past Matt Bueti and Christian Cella.”
To add to the occasion, which now sees Inter face Gambier Centrals in Sunday’s cup grand final, D’Agostino said it was an honour to play at Casadio Park – named after fallen soldier Tony Casadio – on the historic day.
“The atmosphere and the experience was fantastic,” he said.
“To be able to be involved in Anzac Day is phenomenal first up, so I think it meant a lot to all my players and hopefully to all the teams who were involved.
“That was very special for us as a club and as a playing group.”
