Thrilling win for Belluzzi’s Under-15s against the Faroe Islands

After a good performance in the opening match against Slovakia at the ongoing UEFA Development Tournament in Albania, the San Marino Under-15 National Team bounced back in style – in fact, in spectacular fashion. Enrico Belluzzi’s side defeated the Faroe Islands after a thrilling contest that was ultimately decided on penalties. The start from the young Biancazzurri was one to remember. After a couple of promising forays – the best on 13 minutes with Molinari’s shot towards the top corner tipped behind – the deadlock was broken after just twenty minutes. A corner is swung into the Titano box, the Faroese goalkeeper spills it and Montali pounces like a hawk to fire home for 1-0. Only five minutes later comes San Marino’s second: a neat team move down the left, the ball reaches Raschi who shoots from the edge of the box; his effort is blocked but falls to Podeschi who, from the edge, skips past his marker and finds the far corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. San Marino manage the two-goal lead well and the Faroe Islands begin to show only after the half-hour mark, but Cenci is alert to a long-range effort. The sides go in at the break with a double – and fully deserved – lead for Belluzzi’s boys. During the interval the Faroe Islands make several changes, introducing more physical players, and that immediately pays off. Early in the second half Reynheim makes a good run between the San Marino centre-backs and finishes across goal to halve the deficit. The Faroese grow in belief and start to push. Shortly after the hour mark the equaliser arrives: again it is Reynheim who uses his strength to good effect before setting up substitute Hognason in the area, and he beats Cenci for 2-2. San Marino regroup and look to respond. On 64 minutes Arlotti wins the ball back well in the opposition half and swings in a cross, but no-one can get on the end of it. Moments later, however, the Faroe Islands take the lead: a long ball is aimed at the ever-dangerous Reynheim, who controls well and with the outside of his boot finds the perfect corner for 3-2. San Marino refuse to give in and, in the closing minutes, they find the goal to make it 3-3: Arlotti works the ball down the left and picks out Baldazzi, who looks up and delivers an excellent pass to D’Angeli; from the edge of the box he shoots and finds the bottom corner, sparking joy among his team-mates. After the full 80 minutes the match ends level, meaning penalties will decide the winner. There is no shortage of drama from the spot either: Cenci saves what could have been the decisive Faroese penalty and the shoot-out goes to sudden death. It even reaches the ninth penalty each: Cenci again makes the save and Baldazzi keeps his nerve, handing the Under-15 National Team a thrilling victory. Enrico Belluzzi’s side will be back in action on Monday 7 November against hosts Albania (beaten 4-3 by Slovakia today).

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  U15 Development Tournament, Matchday 2 | Faroe Islands – San Marino 9-10 pens (3-3)   SAN MARINO Cenci, Meloni, Guidi (from 63' Mattei), Grandoni, Canarezza (from 63' Coletta), Molinari (from 69' Pennacchini), Arlotti, Podeschi (from 69' Baldazzi), Raschi (from 76' Tamagnini), Montali, Colombini (from 41' D'Angeli) Substitutes: Conti, Zavoli, De Biagi Coach: Enrico Belluzzi   FAROE ISLANDS Heinason, S. Joensen (from 41' Høgnason), Johannesen, E. Joensen, Reynheim, Muller, Jacobsen (from 41' Richardsson), Sivertsen, Niclasen (from 41' Mørkøre), Berg, Møberg Substitutes: Sjudarson, Samsson, Helgason, Poulsen Coach: Jogvan Martin Olsen   Referee: Syziu (ALB) Assistants: Velo (ALB) and Gashi (ALB) Fourth official: Gjini (ALB) Scorers: 21' Montali, 25' Podeschi, 41' and 71' Reynheim, 57' Hognason, 82' D'Angeli Booked: Muller Penalty shoot-out sequence: Reynheim GOAL - Arlotti GOAL; Mørkøre GOAL - Montali GOAL; Høgnason GOAL - Grandoni SAVED; Berg GOAL - Meloni GOAL; Johannesen SAVED - Pennacchini GOAL; Joensen GOAL - Coletta GOAL; Richardsson GOAL - Tamagnini GOAL; Møberg NO GOAL - Mattei CROSSBAR; Sivertsen SAVED - Baldazzi GOAL.

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