Development Tournament: San Marino fall undeservedly to the Faroe Islands

In the final match of the U15 Development Tournament held in Albania, the Titani made the brighter start against their Faroe Islands counterparts. Mazza reached the byline and cut the ball back for Monaldi, whose finish lacked accuracy. With their first real foray forward, however, the opponents took the lead: fine play by Højgaard, who exchanged passes with Hansen, on target from distance as he found the top corner. Vanni’s boys reacted immediately and threatened again from a Mazza delivery which, this time from a set piece, picked out Prendi’s head, but his effort went wide. At the other end, Jacobsen sent a shiver through the Sammarinese ranks when he struck the crossbar from the edge of the box. It was an open game, with the young Biancazzurri chasing a second consecutive goal: Aureli, once again picked out by captain Mazza, went close to the far post. On the restart, both head coaches confirmed their initial elevens and – as at the start of the match – it was San Marino who posed the first threat, this time through an initiative by Montali, who set up a double chance for Aureli first and then Mazza. Midway through the half the Titani again relied on Mazza’s vision, as he released Augusto Ceccoli: his effort forced Olsen into action, the goalkeeper tipping the ball behind for a corner. Although not especially prolific in terms of the sheer number of chances, Jógvan Martin Olsen’s boys created opportunities of real quality. That was the case in the 76th minute, when Hansen anticipated Michelotti’s clearance and was able to line up a shot from the edge of the box, which missed by a whisker. San Marino threw everything forward, also leaving themselves open to dangerous counter-attacks as they tried to increase their presence in the attacking half. Mazza went on a solo run in stoppage time, unleashing a shot that flew just over. In the lengthy added time, there was one more notable surge from Mazza, this time denied by the opposing goalkeeper.

---

Under-15 Development Tournament, Matchday 3 | Faroe Islands – San Marino 1-0   FAROE ISLANDS Olsen (46' Codron), Reynatrøð, Viderø (67' Nolsøe), Toyt, Højgaard (67' Mittúni), Linklett, Hansen, Jacobsen (67' Begerau), Fossabrúgv, Laursen, Poulsen (55' Jónsson) Subs: Dahl, Vesturdal Coach: Jógvan Martin Olsen   SAN MARINO Michelotti, Aureli, A. Ceccoli, Baggiarini (70' Angelini), Della Balda, Mazza, Monaldi (90' Amati), Montali (87' M. Ceccoli), Montebelli, Piergiacomi, Prendi Subs: Fabbri, Frulli, Gasperoni, Lepri, Renzi, Testoni Coach: Dario Vanni   Referee: Dionis Kushta (ALB) Assistant referees: Dion Lulja (ALB) and Diamant Gashi (ALB) Fourth official: Daniel Doci (ALB) Scorer: 13' Hansen Booked: Hansen, Fossabrúgv, Poulsen, Mazza, Aureli

---