Futsal Euro U-19: first three points to Kosovo, who pull away after Andolina’s goal

Andolina scores San Marino’s first goal of the home group: it temporarily halves the deficit but is not enough to stem Kosovo, who go back to carving out chances (taking two of them) in the remainder of the first half and then, after the break, pull away to 7-1. The match – an exact replica of the one which, in November 2019, also at the Multieventi, marked the absolute UEFA debut of the Under-19 national team – is unlocked very early: Forcellini saves Hisen’s powerful diagonal right-footed effort, but the ball stays in the danger area and Barbano, in a desperate attempt to get there before Jashanica, turns it into his own net. Only 38 seconds of effective play have elapsed. The very close contact between Barbano and the Kosovo captain is repeated shortly afterwards, except this time it is the Kosovo skipper who commits the foul and is booked after being turned by San Marino’s number 10. It leads to a free-kick which Andolina hits according to a set play, but no team-mates are ready at the far post. A ball lost by Dolcini around the ten-metre mark offers a chance to Jashanica, who makes the most of it with a powerful finish beyond Forcellini. San Marino produce a good reaction to going 2-0 down. Syla misjudges a defensive intervention and Fantini finds himself with an inviting ball to hit on goal: his first-time effort, though, flies wide. Kosovo go back to testing Forcellini through Musliu (shot saved by the San Marino keeper) and then Musoli, whose back-heel goes centimetres wide. From the bench, Matteo Selva urges his players first and foremost to get their heads back into the game. The instruction is carried out so diligently that on 9 minutes the goal for 2-1 arrives. Another wide free-kick, again taken by Andolina, who this time doesn’t look for team-mates but goes straight for goal, finding the right gap between Musoli’s legs and tucking the ball in off the post. Kosovo’s immediate reaction crashes – literally – against Forcellini, excellent in coming out to deny Sadiku. Moments later the San Marino keeper has to fly to keep out Syla’s long-range effort. There is little he can do, however, against Hisen’s thunderous right foot: fortunately for the Titans, the number 5’s rocket is just off target. Hisen threatens again at the end of a counter-attack: it looks all set for 3-1, but once again Forcellini is monumental. And rightly so, he fires himself up. Keçi’s side stay camped in the final third and within a few seconds find the long-awaited third goal. Musoli does well to slide the ball across to the far post for Syla, but the number 10 in black does even better, controlling a difficult ball and, without letting it drop, adjusting his body for a semi-overhead kick that slips through Forcellini’s legs. The 3-1 “drags” the 4-1, which arrives soon after. San Marino waste a three-on-three and Kosovo break with a two-on-none: Forcellini rushes out desperately and is unfortunate in the challenge with Musliu, who finds the ball at his feet and, without hesitating, steers it into the unguarded net. In the closing stages of the half the Kosovo defence twice opens up, in virtually identical fashion, down the left flank. Mularoni and Simone Fortunati both try to take advantage: each strikes firmly towards Kadriu’s goal, who in the first instance breathes a sigh of relief as the effort is fractionally too high, and in the second gathers the central shot at the second attempt. Even so, the last word before the buzzer belongs again to Forcellini, alert to beat away Musoli’s lightning-quick turn. The second half also begins under the sign of the Kosovo pivot, who this time, from a free-kick, fires over. Shortly afterwards Musoli is again involved but reacts a fraction late to Jashanica’s driven cross-shot. The scoreline changes again on 25 minutes, when Berisha powers down the flank past Mularoni (who appeals in vain for a foul), rounds the advancing Forcellini and rolls the ball into the empty net. A little later the number 3 turns provider: his ball to the far post for Jashanica is perfect, the latter arrives right on cue but somehow squanders the chance for 6-1 by dragging his diagonal effort too much. Beccari’s persistence creates a huge double chance for San Marino: the Folgore player, surrounded by three opponents, spins and hits a powerful shot towards Kadriu’s goal. The keeper can only parry it straight out, giving Lotti the opportunity to pounce, but the San Marino captain fatally delays the tap-in. A poor ball lost in the build-up by the Titans allows Berisha to shoot almost with the goal at his mercy: Beccari deflects the effort and the ball breaks kindly for Sadiku, who, with the goal gaping, literally wastes the chance for 6-1. He makes amends within seconds. San Marino are once again caught out under pressure, Berisha bursts through alone on Forcellini and, wisely, squares for the unmarked Sadiku, who touches the ball into the completely empty net. The hosts try to show themselves again in the vicinity of Bugujevci – who has in the meantime replaced Kadriu – but it is from a touchline throw in the attacking half that they concede Kosovo’s seventh. Dolcini’s shot crashes into Syla and Musoli, spotting Forcellini off his line, wastes no time in going for goal: an audacious, perfectly weighted lob, leaving the home keeper’s chase in vain. Late efforts from Mularoni – saved by Bugujevci – and Berisha – just off target – provide the last two snapshots of a match that leaves coach Selva disappointed and hands Kosovo their first three points in the group. Kosovo will be back on court tomorrow (18:00) to face Azerbaijan, San Marino’s opponents in the third and final game of the tournament, which on Sunday (18:00) will be available live on www.titanitv.sm.

Futsal Euro Under 19, Preliminary Round | Kosovo – San Marino 7-1

KOSOVO Kadriu, Hisen, Jashanica, Musoli, Syla

Substitutes: Bugujevci, Berisha, L. Mehmeti, Sadiku, E. Mehmeti, Musliu, Abazi

Head coach: Suad Keçi

SAN MARINO Forcellini, Andolina, Dolcini, Barbano, Mularoni

Substitutes: Crescentini, S. Fortunati, L. Fortunati, Lotti, Laglia, Fantini, Beccari

Head coach: Matteo Selva

Referee 1: Jiri Bergs (BEL)

Referee 2: Radim Cep (CZE)

Referee 3: Ádám Czene-Joó (HUN)

Timekeeper: Laurentiu Ilie

Booked: Jashanica, L. Mehmeti, Musliu, L. Fortunati, Lotti, Dolcini, Mularoni

Scorers: 00'38'' og Barbano, 1'43'' Jashanica, 8'23'' Andolina, 12'19'' Syla, 14'56'' Musliu, 24'40'' Berisha, 28'03'' Sadiku, 30:35'' Musoli