FOOTBALL CLUB WORLD

Torino fought back from behind twice to gain a point against Siena, but continue their run of consecutive draws which now stretches to four matches.

It was league leaders Siena who started quickest, knowing that a point would be enough to secure their return to Serie A at the first attempt. They took the lead after just ten minutes, and it was a man who started his career at Torino, Emanuele Calaiò who scored the goal. Torino failed to deal with a short corner routine, that allowed Reginaldo to drive into the area unchallenged and deliver a cross to find Calaiò, who scored with a fantastic bicycle kick.

Despite that early setback, Toro were level less than fifteen minutes later, and finally it was someone other than Rolando Bianchi who found the net. Alessandro Sgrigna picked up the ball on the left hand side and unleashed a fierce low shot with his right foot from just outside the area to beat home goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola and level the scores.

Torino would have taken the lead soon afterwards, if it wasn't for an unbelievable save from Coppola as he somehow kept out Rolando Bianchi's ferocious 35 yard free kick. Instead, it was Siena who would take a lead into the half time interval, and again, it was that man Calaiò with the goal, as his header from Roberto Vitiello's cross narrowly beat the dive of Rubinho.

After the break, Torino had opportunities to equalise with both Bianchi, and Mirko Antenucci coming close, and when Francesco Pratali was fouled by Simone Vergassola in the area, Torino had a great opportunity to level the scores. However, that opportunity was not taken when, Bianchi, who is usually so reliable from the penalty spot, put his effort wide of the post. Just three minutes later however, Torino were level, as the captain made amends when he fired in from just five yards after Biagio Pagano's low cross.

The game finished level and gave Siena the point they needed to secure promotion, and as other results went their way the point was a valuable one for Toro and kept them in the top six. The race for the playoffs is one of the closest in recent history with just two points separating six teams. As they currently occupy one of those playoff positions, Torino know their destiny is in their own hands, but a victory at home to next week to Triestina is vital, because if not, four teams are waiting behind them to capitalise.