Nocerino's pair helps AC Milan roll past Olimpia

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Midfielder Antonio Nocerino scored a pair of goals and added an assist in leading AC Milan to a 3-1 exhibition win over Honduran squad Olimpia at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.

Milan controlled the action from the opening whistle, with Robinho scoring in the 24th minute and Nocerino collecting his goals in the 37th and 44th minutes to build a three-goal lead at halftime. Olimpia's Jose Escalante pulled one back for the Hondurans in the 72nd minute.

It didn't take long for Milan to test Olimpia goalkeeper Noel Valladaers. Just 10 minutes into the match he was forced to make to make a pair of quick stops on dangerous shots from Robinho and Stephen El Shaarawy.

But there was nothing Valladaers could do midway through the first half. With Milan advancing down the field, Nocerino fed it ahead to Robinho, who ripped a shot that beat Valladaers.

Robinho returned the favor in the 37th minute when he centered a cross from El Shaarawy to Nocerino, who easily tapped the Brazilian forward's pass into the net.

Eight minutes later, Nocerino collected his second goal of the game when he headed in Ignazio Abate's pass shortly before halftime.

After Milan missed on a pair of chances, Olimpia found the net in the 72nd minute when Brayan Beckeles crossed it into the area and Escalante nodded it through.

Originally, Brazilian side Cruzeiro was lined up to play Milan for the exhibition. But a scheduling conflict forced Cruzeiro to back out, opening the opportunity Olimpia to make its first appearance at Gillette Stadium.

AC Milan returns to action on Aug. 8 for a clash against Spanish power Real Madrid at Yankee Stadium. Olimpia was flying back to Honduras for a league match against Athletico Choloma on Sunday.

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