Yesterday’s Italy-England veterans match at Ta’ Qali should have been a great attraction but it failed to land the massive crowd which the organisers had hoped for.

An Italy-England encounter usually generates more than the interest shown for this match. In fact, just over 6,000 made their way to Ta’ Qali Stadium. It is true that players like the Baresi brothers, Gascoigne, Altobelli, Signori, Parlour, Waddle, McAllister and Pallister are all past their prime but one expected a far bigger number of spectators for such a match, despite the steep ticket prices.

The match itself offered some very interesting and exciting moments with Signori, Rizzitelli, Bianchi and Amoruso on one side and Waddle, Pallister and Bonetti on the other distinguishing themselves.

In the second half, the Italians appeared to be younger and fresher and took command, but either Bonetti or the post denied them more goals before they overwhelmed the English. After missing a number of chances, they finally made sure of victory with three late goals in quick succession.

Early in the match, play was more balanced and England had a cross from the right cleared with difficulty by Pellegrini, but at the other end, a Ferri cross also created some havoc in the England defence before Anderson eventually cleared the ball away.

On 10 minutes, Italy had a good chance to open the scoring. Bianchi crossed for the completely unmarked Altobelli, but the latter’s header went straight into Goram’s hands.

Crippa also had an effort saved by Goram, while Amoruso also had a freekick saved by the goalie.

On 22 minutes it should have been 1-0 for Italy when from an Amoruso cross, the ball went to the completely unmarked Signori who had his belated shot deviated to corner. As Italy insisted, Goram again denied Altobelli saving his close range header.

It was England who opened the scoring on 30 minutes. From a perfect Dean Saunders cross, Mark Hateley headed home past a beaten Tacconi.

Six minutes later, Rizzitelli even went round English goalie Bonetti, but then hit his shot against the upright. A minute later, the Italians levelled through an Amoruso great shot from the edge of the area.

The azzurri now held an edge in midfield and they took the lead three minutes before the interval, when Bianchi set Franco Baresi in the area and the latter made no mistake.

In added time, Lee Sharpe missed a sitter when from a Saunders cross, he hit the ball wide. And before the official’s whistle, Signori was involved in a solo action, only to see his effort being blocked to corner by Bonetti.

Soon after the start of the second half, England went close to equalising through a Hateley header which went just over. On 54 minutes, Signori showed what he usually did when he was younger. Receiving a ball from Rizzitelli, he dribbled neatly round three players only to see his effort hitting the upright.

Italy were obviously in command at this stage and seriously threatened to overwhelm their opponents as Rizzitelli just missed the posts with two separate efforts.

Now it was the turn of Paul Gascoigne to enter the pitch, taking the place of Trevor Steven. His presence, however, seemed to have made little or no effect on the England side and Bonetti came to the side’s rescue once again as he saved a close-range diving header from substitute Silenzi.

On the hour, Bianchi also had a shot hitting the upright, but at the other end, in a rare opportunity for England, Charlton had his effort from three metres turned to corner by Pazzagli.

The former Chelsea goalie again showed class in saving off Rizzitelli on the 64th minute.

The latter again went close for Italy with a low shot, but Silenzi had better luck on the 84th minute as he received a good pass from Bianchi to hit a fine shot past Bonetti. And two minutes later, the two players combined again for Silenzi to beat Bonetti for the fourth azzurri goal.

Rizzitelli was finally rewarded for his efforts as he scored the fifth after a personal move just before the final whistle.