Futsal: Northern Ireland edge first friendly 3-2

Despite the sudden last-minute withdrawals that forced Osimani to do without Franciosi and Moretti due to flu, the San Marino national futsal team turned in an overall positive performance in the first of two back-to-back friendlies in Northern Ireland, played yesterday afternoon. These are two matches that the home fans had been waiting for for more than four years: that is how long it had been since Stuart Cook’s side last played on home soil, due to the effects of the pandemic. Whether because of an unconsciously conservative approach – given the heavy minutes that the only nine outfield players available to San Marino were inevitably going to log – or because of Northern Ireland’s all-out start to the game, the hosts pinned the Titans back in their own half for the opening ten minutes. Even if there were no real clear-cut chances to speak of, San Marino struggled to get out from under the press and Millar and his team-mates largely dictated play. As such, the opening strike for 1-0 from Conor, a fine diagonal effort after he came off a screen that left Protti with no chance, did not come as a surprise. The home lead had the effect of sparking a reaction from the Biancazzurri. The best chance to level fell to Zafferani, denied by a big save from McErlain. Osimani’s men fashioned further openings and finished the half strongly, but the buzzer sounded with Northern Ireland still 1-0 up – a lead that was deserved on balance. After the break San Marino showed a completely different attitude, immediately stepping up with real belief and aggression. Now it was Northern Ireland having to cope with the constant pressure from the Biancazzurri, who turned the momentum of the match on its head and forced the hosts to rely on counter-attacks or little else. The long-awaited equaliser duly arrived thanks to a piece of excellent play by Cecchini, who did brilliantly to control a high, wide ball on his chest before sending it back into the heart of the area, where Maiani arrived perfectly on cue to side-foot home. The match was wide open, though the balance of play was clearly swinging San Marino’s way. In a game that was essentially fair but very hard-fought and physical, a naive error by Mattioli – already on a yellow card – left the Titans down a man for two minutes. In reality, just over a minute of power play was enough for Millar, the stand-out performer for the opposition, to restore the lead. Osimani’s side did not lose heart and the coach also readied the flying goalkeeper. However, Northern Ireland struck again almost immediately, making the most of a counter-attack launched from a San Marino corner. Inevitably, it was Connor Millar taking the headlines – the scorer of a decisive hat-trick. From that point to the final buzzer, San Marino deployed the flying goalkeeper, with Luca Zafferani taking on the delicate role; the gamble paid off, as Ercolani – picked out by Busignani – found the net with a powerful header. In a furious finale, the Titans even created the chance for a sensational 3-3, which failed to materialise by the narrowest of margins. The second instalment kicks off today at 12:00 Italian time, with Osimani also having to consider managing the remaining energy levels of many players who were effectively on overtime with more than half an hour on court in yesterday’s match.

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Official friendly | Northern Ireland – San Marino 3-2 NORTHERN IRELAND McErlain, Kernohan, Millar, Roohi, Starrs Substitutes: Irvine, Gibson, Dobney, Barr, Stapleton, McMenemy, Gunn, Donnelly, Lowry, Sobecki Coach: Stuart Cook   SAN MARINO Protti, Maiani, Busignani, Zafferani, Ercolani Substitutes: Pazzini, Geri, Cavalli, Cecchini, Ceccoli, Toccaceli, Mattioli Coach: Roberto Osimani   Referee 1: Sebastian Jankowlski Referee 2: Bart Urbanski Referee 3: Ayad Abu-Khiran Timekeeper: Abbie Magee Scorers: 11'15", 36'07", 36'49" Millar, 29'30" Maiani, 38'57" Ercolani Booked: Busignani, Mattioli Sent off: 34'52" Mattioli (second yellow card)

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