January Cup: San Marino defeat Turkey to finish third in the tournament

San Marino’s national futsal team returned from Albona with the bronze medal around their necks. Osimani’s Biancazzurri claimed victory in the third-place play-off against Turkey, securing the lowest step on the podium at the Futsal Week January Cup, behind Morocco and Romania. Over this long weekend packed with satisfaction for Sammarinese futsal, only the eventual winners managed to overcome San Marino.

The clash with Turkey was evenly balanced, so the penalty shoot-out – with no extra time, as stipulated by the tournament regulations – was anything but unexpected. There were no goals in the opening twenty minutes, despite Moretti going through on 3’, only to be denied by Roofthof. Protti and Ceccoli were equally alert in stopping a driving run from Kahveci, one of the best on the court. The Biancazzurri also threatened from set plays by Busignani, dangerous from long range around the midway point of the half. At the other end, Turkey’s best chance fell to Onduc, who was denied by the base of the post after an exchange with Ceyland. After a couple of routine saves by Protti, Murat Kaya’s side showed again through Kahveci, who wasted a brilliant back-heel assist from Ali Kaya by firing into the side-netting from close range. In the closing stages San Marino survived further scares thanks to Maiani and Protti himself, while also having the opportunity to take the lead right at the death. Verri won the ball off Akparlak in the Turkish area but rushed his finish wide from short range.

In the second half Turkey came out on the front foot, but Osimani’s players defended effectively. In fact, the first real opportunity fell to San Marino: Verri knocked the ball down with his head for Busignani, who set himself up for a first-time volley at the near post – brilliantly kept out by Roofthof. Three efforts in quick succession from Moretti did not trouble the Turkish keeper, while his opposite number Protti was called into a top save from Agir’s thunderous strike midway through the half. Then, on 33 minutes, San Marino saw what would have been the opening goal ruled out: the referees penalised a debatable handball by De Angelis as he controlled a long ball, disallowing Ceccoli’s clinical finish that followed – rendering his celebration meaningless. The Titans came close to going from joy to despair in an instant, but were saved by Toccaceli’s crucial positioning at the near post to turn away an Agir free-kick that looked destined for the net. On 35 minutes Turkey protested over strong marking by Moretti on Ali Kaya in the penalty area: the officials waved play on and Protti tried to catch Roofthof out with a shot from his own area. The Turkish keeper was dramatically rescued by the crossbar. The Sammarinese goalkeeper also excelled in his primary duties, again denying another attempt from Agir. That took the game into the final 200 seconds, which produced goals from Kahveci and Verri. Turkey’s opener was a moment of brilliance from the winger, who isolated himself against Ceccoli down the flank before unleashing a rocket from near the by-line that gave Protti no time to react, flying into the top corner. San Marino’s reply was immediate: Osimani sent on Belloni as flying goalkeeper and, after a couple of passing moves to shift the Turkish defence, Busignani slipped the ball through for Ceccoli. The pass arrived awkwardly at mid-height, but the winger somehow managed to send it across the face of goal to the far post for Verri, ruthless with his left foot from point-blank range. With just over a minute remaining, his strike took the game to full time at 1-1.

Under the tournament rules, extra time is not played. The match therefore went straight to a penalty shoot-out, in which San Marino’s takers Busignani, Verri, Moretti, De Angelis and Belloni were flawless. Kahveci’s miss – Turkey’s second taker sent Protti the wrong way but hit the post – sealed third place in the Futsal Week January Cup for the Titans. The penalty that kicked off the Biancazzurri celebrations was converted by Fabio Belloni.

Futsal Week January Cup, DAY 3 | Turkey – San Marino 1-1 (5-6 pens)

TURKEY

Roofthof, Ugurlu, A. Kaya, Kahveci, Agir

Substitutes: Sozubek, Aslaner, Onduc, Akparlak, Ceyland, Avci

Head coach: Murat Kaya

SAN MARINO

Protti, Maiani, Verri, Busignani, Moretti

Substitutes: Pazzini, Ceccoli, Cecchini, Gamba, Chezzi, Toccaceli, Cola, Belloni, De Angelis

Head coach: Roberto Osimani

Referee 1: Andrea Naudi

Referee 2: Emilie Aubry

Referee 3: Semir Keserović

Timekeeper: Juraj Grizelj

Scorers: 37:50 Kahveci, 38:49 Verri

Booked: Ceccoli, Ugurlu

Penalty shoot-out: Agir scored – Busignani scored; Kahveci hit post – Verri scored; Avci scored – Moretti scored; Ugurlu scored – De Angelis scored; Akparlak scored – Belloni scored