[U21 Qual] Acquafresca keeps Azzurrini ticking

Pierluigi Casiraghi's Italy still have a 100 per cent record in Group 1 after defeating Croatia 2-0 in Chieti with a goal in each half from Cagliari striker Robert Acquafresca.

The visitors were arguably the more dangerous side in the early stages of the game but it was Italy who took the lead after 40 minutes when Acquafresca turned a low cross by Giuseppe Rossi from the left past Ivan Vargic.

Acquafresca added his second 12 minutes into the second half, heading a cross by captain Marco Motta from the right inside the far post.

The Azzurrini continued to create opportunities with Sebastian Giovinco going close with a superb lob, then Rossi's close-range shot was well saved by Vargic.

The win moved Italy three points clear of Croatia and Greece at the top of qualification group for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championships.

Group 1 Results:
Friday 12 October
Italy 2-0 Croatia
Sunday 14 October
Faroe Islands 1-0 Azerbaijan

Group 1 Standings:
[1] ITA - PLD: 04 - PTS: 12
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[2] GRE - PLD: 04 - PTS: 09
[3] CRO - PLD: 05 - PTS: 09
[4] ALB - PLD: 04 - PTS: 06
[5] FAR - PLD: 05 - PTS: 03
[6] AZE - PLD: 04 - PTS: 00

Group 1 Fixtures:
Tuesday 16 October
Greece v Italy
Wednesday 17 October
Azerbaijan v Albania
Faroe Islands v Croatia

Source: UEFA