Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Queens Park got a taste of the Calcio Italiano football fever that gripped the city for the past week when Serie B side Palermo FC tackled A-League heavyweights Melbourne City at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last Friday night.
Palermo were in Perth alongside Serie A giants AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus for a week-long celebration of Italian football that culminated with Palermo tackling Juventus at HBF Stadium on Tuesday night.
But before that, Palermo accepted an invitation from Melbourne City to meet for the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy, first contested by Palermo and English Premier League team Manchester City last year.
Melbourne City and Manchester City are both owned by the City Football Group.
An enthusiastic crowd braved wet and wintry conditions to watch an international team in their suburban backyard, with Palermo fans quickly rewarded with a goal in the 11th minute from Jeremy Le Douaron, who calmly kicked through the keeper’s legs.
City almost scored an equaliser minutes later when Palermo’s goalkeeper was caught outside the penalty box, enabling Lawrence Wong to take aim from long distance, only for the defence to scramble back and clear the ball on the line.
Melbourne City coach Aurelio Vidmar rang the changes at half-time, playing a completely separate XI for the second half and giving a first taste of senior football to three players, who relished the opportunity against quality opposition.
The youthful side almost made the perfect start, putting the ball into the back of the net just 30 seconds after the restart, only for the assistant referee to hold up the offside flag.
Palermo put the game beyond doubt in the 54th minute when Patryk Peda headed a corner home.
Palermo fans, many decked out in the pink and black rosanero colours, remained after the match to celebrate with the team as fireworks lit up the Queens Park night sky.
