National Team: against Saint Lucia a 90'+3 equaliser that flatters the hosts and frustrates the Titani

At the vast Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, around 70 metres wide and primarily dedicated to the sport that features in its very name, the first of two consecutive friendlies between Saint Lucia and San Marino takes place. The sides have never met before, and the match also marks the first time the Titani have played outside European borders. Costantini throws into the middle of the park – on a pitch in less-than-ideal condition – Lorenzo Capicchioni, making his senior national team debut. In his 3-5-2, Cevoli and Tosi line up either side of Palazzi at the back, while captain Vitaioli partners Rinaldi up front. D'Addario and Grandoni patrol the flanks, with Mularoni and Alessandro Golinucci operating as mezzali. Between the posts is Elia Benedettini, who after just over two minutes sees Elva’s thunderous effort whistle just wide, leading to a corner from which the Cailungo keeper eventually clutches the ball following a frantic action in the box. The Caribbean hosts immediately make clear the physical and athletic approach they want to impose on the game, while showing more limitations on the technical side. San Marino aim to pounce on those errors, taking care not to leave space to their quick and powerful opponents. Around the quarter-hour mark, Capicchioni’s pressing wins the ball back high up the pitch; a neat one-two with Rinaldi sends the latter through in an excellent position, from which he unleashes a left-footed strike at the near post, saved by Barclett at the second attempt. The match is balanced and the Titani work to make their superior tactical acumen count. Unfortunately, just as San Marino are enjoying their best spell, Saint Lucia take the lead. A turnover in the opposition half sparks a counter-attack, with Stern’s men exploiting their athletic qualities to break quickly and serve Junior Baptiste in the middle. The Caribbean forward makes no mistake against Benedettini and opens the scoring on 30 minutes. The equaliser could have arrived almost immediately, but slips away by a matter of centimetres. That is what prompts assistant Kenran Daniel to raise his flag on Vitaioli’s run in behind, after he had picked out Rinaldi perfectly at the far post. The thrill of the ‘goal’ quickly gives way to regret. Everything is regular, instead, when San Marino’s right side works the ball to Mularoni, whose cross to the near post is claimed early by Barclett. The keeper, however, spills it right on the edge of the six-yard box, but captain Frederick is there to mop up, finding the ball at his feet with Vitaioli and Rinaldi just a couple of strides away. Of Tosi’s two consecutive corners, the second is the more dangerous and comes close to turning into a direct goal from the corner flag – shaving the top of the crossbar. Saint Lucia go into the break with a slender lead. San Marino could have wiped out that advantage just ninety seconds after the restart, when Vitaioli finds himself completely unmarked in the penalty area. After bringing the ball down, his right-footed effort lets Barclett off the hook – the keeper reacting well to the central shot. The Titani show the right attitude and hem Saint Lucia into their own third, racking up promising free-kicks and corners that the opposing back line manage to repel. On 57 minutes it is time for Hirsch and Lazzari to come on, the latter making his senior debut. From a free-kick won by San Marino, the ball eventually falls to Vitaioli on the edge of the area – his left-footed shot is deflected just wide. The same fate almost befalls the long-range strike from Capicchioni, which grazes the junction of post and bar with Barclett well beaten. San Marino dominate the second half and carve out another clear chance through Rinaldi, who is nudged just enough by his marker to send his left-footed attempt ballooning over from a very inviting position. Benedettini is a spectator after the interval as the Titani keep wearing Saint Lucia down, looking for the knockout blow that seems set to arrive on 74 minutes. A knock-down sets up the run of Pancotti, who has come on for his debut, but he can only muster a weak right-footed effort from a tight angle. In the closing stages, Costantini adds height and pushes the line higher with Stefanelli and Sopranzi on, sacrificing the shielding presence of Golinucci. For the Virtus playmaker it is a first, brief appearance in the Biancazzurro shirt – cut short by an adductor problem. The Titani are set up with an overtly attacking mindset, even down to ten men, and on the balance of play in the second half they deserve at least a draw. At the other end, Saint Lucia go close to doubling their lead on their only foray forward of the half: both Lester Joseph and Augustin, however, are denied by Benedettini’s gloves. There is to be no cruel twist for San Marino, who for once reap the rewards of their efforts, thanks to the freshness of Lorenzo Lazzari. In the third of the six minutes of added time, the youngest member of the squad (born in 2003) shows the composure of a seasoned striker with an excellent first touch in the heart of the area before beating Barclett with a left-footed diagonal that leaves the home keeper no chance. A night to remember for Lazzari, scoring on his national team debut at just 19 years of age. There is nothing more of note at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground: Saint Lucia’s reaction is more emotional than dangerous and fails to produce shots on target, while San Marino can leave with smiles on their faces after a draw long chased and fully deserved, earned by perhaps the least expected player – who nevertheless struck at exactly the right moment. Many of us have dreamt of a debut just like that: a goal, deep into stoppage time.

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FIFA International Friendly | Saint Lucia 1-1 San Marino   SAINT LUCIA Barclett; Evans, Doxilly, Myers (from 82' Gopal), Frederick; Elva (from 81' C. Joseph), Similien (from 66' Propere), L. Joseph, Stanislas (from 65' Aa. Richard); Junior Baptiste, Augustin (from 82' Henville) Subs: Donaie, An. Richard, Harrow, Fred, Clarke, E. Joseph, Louisien Coach: John Stern   SAN MARINO E. Benedettini; Cevoli, Palazzi, Tosi; D'Addario (from 69' D. Tomassini), Mularoni (from 57' Lazzari), Capicchioni, A. Golinucci (from 81' Sopranzi), Grandoni (from 57' Hirsch); Vitaioli (from 69' Pancotti), Rinaldi (from 81' Stefanelli) Subs: Simoncini, S. Benedettini, E. Golinucci, F. Tomassini, M. Ceccaroli, Zafferani, Ciacci, Matteoni, Franciosi Coach: Fabrizio Costantini   Referee: Gaymes Moeth (VIN) Assistants: Denroy Barker (VIN) and Kenran Daniel (VIN) Fourth official: Reon Radix (GRN) Scorers: 30' Junior Baptiste, 90'+3' Lazzari Attendance: 750

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