Futsal, San Marino fight back to snatch draw with Malta: 4-4 in Labin

San Marino’s Futsal National Team began their February Cup campaign in Labin, Croatia with a superb comeback against Malta. The islanders opened the scoring on 6 minutes with a powerful right-footed strike from Alves. The second goal arrived when Mangion tapped in at the back post from a perfect assist by Portelli. This is when the Titans produced their first strong response: shortly afterwards, Moretti was alert to break up Malta’s passing move and beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Malta restored their two-goal cushion late in the first half with a corner routine that freed Borg for the shot; his first-time right-footer was unstoppable. The score remained 3-1 at the interval. Early in the second half, Ercolani’s turn and finish, set up by Belloni’s immediate ball recovery, brought San Marino back into it. Malta tried to put the game to bed with Borg’s second of the night, finished coolly in front of Pazzini. But San Marino were not done yet. Quite the opposite: Busignani, with a back-heel no less, sparked a comeback that the captain himself would go on to complete with a goal from a set piece. This adrenaline-fuelled 4-4 draw was the opening act of a journey that, for the Titans, continued today with the match against Switzerland. San Marino futsal is also represented in Labin on the refereeing side, specifically by Laurentiu Ilie, appointed yesterday as second referee for Greenland – Switzerland and today as first referee for Malta – Denmark.

---

Futsal Week February Cup | Malta – San Marino 4-4   MALTA Brandon, Ciancio, Borg, G. Sammut, Mangion Substitutes: Mifsud, Alves, Cachia, Zammit, Da Silva, Debono, Portelli, Telisi, Camilleri, Schembri, C. Sammut Head coach: Gabriel Dobre   SAN MARINO Protti, Pasqualini, Busignani, Moretti, Ercolani Substitutes: Pazzini, Toccaceli, Franciosi, Cavalli, Zafferani, Ceccoli, Belloni, Mattioli, Bacciocchi Head coach: Roberto Osimani   Referee 1: Aleš Perić Močnik Referee 2: Marko Bošković Referee 3: Daniel Vigtogt Sorensen Timekeeper: Dragan Župan Booked: Toccaceli, Busignani Scorers: 5':49" Alves, 10':55" Mangion, 11':17" Moretti, 17':28" and 27':22" Borg, 26':46" Ercolani, 28':34" and 45':23" Busignani

---