Akiyama Hernandez scores a brace to sink Roma
By: Yureen Sheikh, Dubai TV
The Italians are hoping to get back to winning ways, while Zagreb needs to put pressure on the league leaders Vienna. Roma lined up in a back 4 with Kamel, Rizzo and Stefánsson in attack. On the other hand, Zagreb played their regular 2-1-4-1-2 with Bebe Barry, Emir Šehbajraktarević and Hernandez as front 3.
Both teams looked sharp on counter-attacks, but Zagreb scored first in the 19th minute. It was Šehbajraktarević's low cross from the right flank, then the shot from Akiyama Hernandez got deflected by Nico Maccarone's left foot and went into the top right corner. After just 4 minutes, Roma replied with the equalizer. In the 23rd minute Zagreb keeper Majmunovic gave the ball away to Roma midfield, the Italians immediately started a counter, Rizzo and Stefánsson made a one-two pass on the edge of Zagreb box, and the veteran Lucca Rizzo made it 1-1 for the home side.
After 33 minutes Akiyama Hernandez doubled the lead for Zagreb, it was a low cross again from right flank, this time from Jay Sobaksu, and Bebe Barry just laid it off with a beautiful one touch pass for Hernandez.
Luke Cunningham and Marcus Neagu came on after half-time as both teams tried to push for another goal. Zagreb couldn't make any good scoring chance in the second half, on the other hand Roma was unable to finish their two decent chances near Zagreb's penalty area.
