B Italia comprehensively defeated First Choice Soccer 5-0 at the Warren in Portstewart to increase their chances of reaching the final four.
The Italians dominated large spells of the game, but only made sure of the result in the closing stages as they added three quick fire goals to make it two wins from two in Group D.
Zak Ruggerio was at the heart of all the positive phases of play for the Italian newcomers in the early stages and he drifted past five First Choice defenders on the left, but his pull back was blocked and diverted away for a corner.
Just after it looked like First Choice had settled into tie the Italians took the lead with 20 minutes on the clock. Marco Bingo created some space down the left hand side and his well struck effort was parried away but Kevin Salvatore Buonavoglia was quickest to react as he rolled the ball into the empty net.
It was all one way traffic in the second half as B Italia drove forward at every opportunity.
Buonavoglia was denied on three separate occasions by Noah Black, but Buonavoglia eventually got the better of Black as he fired home after great work from the impressive Ruggerio.
The Italians added three goals in the closing stages to make it two wins from two. The Italians have a very good blend of defensive stability and attacking flair in the final third and in Ruggerio they have one of the early contenders for player of the tournament.
B Italia will hope to seal their place in the semi-finals tomorrow but will face a stern test as they take on Niall O’Kane’s Armagh at Portrush at 5pm.