Padania had an encouraging debut in their first official outing when they defeated Gozo in the first female match of the VIVA World Cup 2010.

The visitors were superior to their opponents and created a number of good scoring opportunities. They scored the opening goal during the first period and sure of the deserved win with three goals scored after the break. For Gozo, this was a difficult international debut. They suffered from inferiority complex and only managed to express some good play during the final stages of the first half when they released themselves from the pressure.

The girls in green shirts had an excellent start and created two open scoring opportunities through Valentina Povia and Martina Baroni by the second minute of play. On 11 minutes, Povia had another attempt from a good position blocked by the goalkeeper and from the rebound, Giorgia Nespoli concluded wide in front of an open goal. One minute later, an effort by Martina Baroni was deflected in corner by Gozo’s defense.

Padania opened the score on 13 minutes through a strike form the edge of the area by Lucrezia Lupi that surprised goalie Fabienne Vella.

Gozo’s best opportunity to level the score arrived on 29 minutes through a direct free kick by Melania Bajada that was well saved by goalie Valentina Pagliassotio.

Padania doubled the score five minutes in the second half through a good shot from an angled position by Martina Baroni. One minute before the hour of play a free kick by Chiara Busi hit the woodwork.

The score became 3-0 for Padania on 68 minutes when Valentina Colamanco escaped into Gozo’s territory in a fast break and placed easily into an open goal with a low shot.

On 77 minutes, Padania sealed the issue with a fourth goal scored by Lara Laterza following a corner action.

GOZO F. Vella, R. Azzopardi (M.A. Refalo), S. Farrugia, R. Chircop, Y. Vella (M. Zuber), K. Attard (S. Sultana), M. Bajada, F. Mercieca, J. Gafa, E. Xuereb (S. Xuereb), R. Steer Chatham (J. Sultana).

PADANIA V. Pagliassotio (V. Indino), G. Nespoli, F.V. Lardo (E. Rancati), S. Panzini, L. Laterza, L. Lupi (M. Dal Molin), M. Baroni, L. Galvan, C. Busi, M. Iustoni, V. Povia (K. Airaghi).

Referee: Lawrence Azzopardi (Malta)
Asst. Referees: 1st Joe Bajada (Gozo), 2nd Claudio Guida (Italy)
Scorers: L. Lupi 13’, M. Baroni 50’, V. Colamanco 68’, L. Laterza 77’