Futsal, Under 18: Maltese Selections on top in the Titans’ opening two games

Plenty of goals in the opening two matches featuring the San Marino Under-18 futsal National Team at the Under-18 Development Tournament currently taking place in Malta. On both occasions, Selva’s boys faced local Selections. They made their debut yesterday afternoon against Malta “A”. The hosts broke the deadlock 4':12'' before the interval thanks to a ball recovery by Mercieca and, above all, to a fine diagonal strike from Azzopardi that left Forcellini with no chance. The second goal arrived one effective minute later and was an exact replica of the opener: same position, same finish, same scorer. The 2-0 scoreline also held to half-time. It was, however, Vella’s close-range touch – once again on the end of a venomous diagonal effort by Azzopardi – that opened the second half scoring. This time Forcellini got a hand to it but could not keep it out. Essien Borg’s powerful right-footed drive under the bar, following a turnover and a precise assist from Suda, made it 4-0 midway through the half. The Titans pulled one back from a rehearsed free-kick: Cavalli shot after Chiaruzzi’s dummy and Beccari, sliding in, was quick to apply the decisive touch at the far post. The Maltese net bulged again with 29'' left on the clock from a thunderous right-footed effort by Dolcini, following a determined ball recovery by the San Marino number 6 in his own half. The little time remaining, however, did not allow Matteo Selva’s players to complete the comeback. Malta “A” ran out 4-2 winners. The Sammarinese National Team returned to the court this afternoon to take on the second local Selection, Malta "B". This time it was the Titans who struck first thanks to a powerful and precise left-footed finish from Cavalli on a pass from Laglia. The Maltese reply came via Farrugia, who was able to tap in comfortably after a quick one-two with Felice. The blow did not stun the young Titans, who restored their lead from a set piece. Fantini rolled it to Dolcini, whose side-footed finish proved lethal for Cutajar. Again, however, Malta responded swiftly, this time through Gauci who, after being played in by Bellizzi, rolled the ball into an empty net having gone round the advancing Giannini. Riding the wave of momentum, the hosts then found the goal that gave them the lead. It came from a counter-attack, with Bellizzi this time going it alone and unleashing a ferocious left-footed strike into the top corner. The contest remained wide open, though. At the start of the second half, the Sammarinese National Team drew level again thanks to a move involving the scorers of the first and second Sammarinese goals. Dolcini recycled a ball on the flank and found space to cut it back into the middle for Cavalli, who, completely unmarked, had time to control before smashing it under the bar to complete his brace and make it 3-3. But there was just as much power and precision in Camilleri’s toe-poke to crown a lightning-fast break: absolutely no chance for Giannini. Malta then wrapped things up with just under 5' to play through Felice, who after providing an assist was able to celebrate a goal of his own, capitalising on an advanced ball recovery and a composed one-on-one finish past Giannini. The third and final match of the tournament for San Marino will be tomorrow at 13:30 against Gibraltar. As in the previous two games, the match will be streamed live on the Maltese FA’s YouTube channel.  

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Malta Cup 2024, Matchday 1 | San Marino - Malta "A" 2-4   SAN MARINO Forellini, Marinelli, Laglia, Chiaruzzi, Valentini Substitutes: Giannini, Fantini, Fortunati, Dolcini, Beccari, Lotti, Cavalli, Littera, Flammini Head coach: Matteo Selva   MALTA "A" Trajkoski, Vella, Abela, Borg, Mercieca Substitutes: Cortis, Tonna, E. Borg, M. Borg, Tomasuolo, Suda, Azzopardi, Coulaud, Assaf Head coach: Carlo Scicluna   Referee 1: Stephen Vella Referee 2: Danilo Francalanza Referee 3: Stefania Bonnici Timekeeper: Melanie Spitera Scorers: 16', 17' Azzopardi, 23' Vella, 25' E. Borg, 37' Beccari, 40' Dolcini Booked: Fantini  

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Malta Cup 2024, Matchday 2 | San Marino - Malta "B" 3-5   SAN MARINO Giannini, Fantini, Marinelli, Beccari, Valentini Substitutes: Forcellini, Fortunati, Laglia, Dolcini, Chiaruzzi, Lotti, Cavalli, Littera, Flammini Head coach: Matteo Selva   MALTA "B" Cutajar, Bellizzi, Fenech, Camilleri, Gauci Substitutes: Sciberras, Demioli, Farrugia, Borg, Buhagiar, Spiteri, D'Amato, Felice, Ghio Head coach: Everton Veve da Silva   Referee 1: Andrea Naudi Referee 2: Danillo Francalanza Referee 3: Stefania Bonnici Timekeeper: Stephen Vella Scorers: 5', 22' Cavalli, 10' Farrugia, 12' Dolcini, 16' Gauci, 18', 30' Camilleri, 35' Felice Booked: Fantini, Ghio

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