Luanda - The National Roller Hockey Team failed to qualify for the World Championship semi-finals this Friday in Novara, after losing to the host team, Italy, by 2-5.
At the start, even when facing the home team in the quarter-finals, the Angolan team were not intimidated. They played openly and always in search of victory, reaching half-time with the score tied at 1-1.
A pass from Gonçalo Neto led captain André Centeno to open the score in the 15th minute.
With the match under control, the national team played calmly and it was only with five seconds remaining that the Italians equalised with a goal from Alessandro Bertolucci, the result at half-time. In the second half, Italy came out more determined and needed just two minutes to score again, through Alessandro Verona.
Undeterred, the African champions relaunched the game, with another goal from captain André Centeno. With an unsuitable attitude, the refereeing team did not judge based on the rules and awarded a penalty, converted by Cocco, making it 3-2.
With two minutes remaining, Cocco scored the goal that gave them peace of mind, making it 4-2. Following a mistake in strategy, in the final moments, the Angolans opted to play without a goalkeeper, and Gaviolli made it 5-2.
In their debut in the competition, Angola lost to Argentina 0-7, lost again 0-4, and thrashed the United States of America 9-0.
WR/VAB/TED/jmc
