Boselli and Moses inspire Latics to impressive pre-season finale
DUNDEE UNITED 1
Cadamateri 84
WIGAN ATHLETIC 3
Boselli 38, 48
Moses 82
Report by Paul Chialton
The perfect way for Latics to round-off pre-season with a commanding performance and a comfortable win over Scottish Cup holders Dundee United at Tannadice Park.
Mauro Boselli took his pre-season goal-tally to six with two finishes that typified the man, instinctive finishes from inside the area that really whet the appetite. His somewhat telepathic relationship with Hugo Rodallega will be a massive threat this season, and will no doubt bring out the best in both players.
His first was born out of yet more inventive work by Victor Moses down the right-wing. Victor was in stunning form all afternoon and he was to get his rewards late on, but for now he was provider, slipping a ball into the area for Hugo Rodallega whose awareness helped him to turn the ball into Boselli's path.
The Argentine took it in his stride and stroked it into the bottom-left corner, a calm finish that put Latics into a deserved lead.
His second came after the re-start, latching onto Maynor Figueroa's pin-point cross and bulleting a header from the edge of the six-yard box to double the lead. His touch, movement and finishing effectively sealed the game for Roberto Martinez's men.
The striker teed up Moses for the third, a lovely cushioned header to the edge of the penalty area that was dispatched emphatically by the winger, in off the bar to make it 3-0.
Danny Cadamarteri responded instantly with a 30-yard stunner to give The Arabs a deserved goal - their neat and tidy football was the perfect test for Latics and it was clear to see why they enjoyed so much victory last season.
Elsewhere around the pitch there were confident displays from the entire team. Antolin Alcaraz was able to get 85 minutes under his belt before the season kicks-off next Saturday, growing in confidence as the game progressed and utilising the ball very well.
Ali Al Habsi played the entire game, looked solid and made a fantastic instinctive save in the second-half from a point-blank header - the Omani goalkeeper giving an excellent account of himself.
Overall the team looked as though they had taken things up a notch from Wednesday night's encouraging performance against Real Zaragoza - looking sharper and more clinical just in time for the season opener against Blackpool in six days.
Latics: Al Habsi; Boyce, Alcaraz (A Trialist 85), Gohouri (S. Caldwell 25), Figueroa (Baradji 58); Diame (McArthur 55), Thomas; Moses (Gomez 85), Watson, Rodallega; Boselli (Scotland 90)
Subs: Kirkland, Pollitt, N'Zogbia, Stam
