Regions Cup, a draw that feels harsh on NAT San Marino

NAT San Marino collect their first point but are left with a bitter taste in their mouths after the second match of the Intermediate Round of the UEFA Regions Cup. The San Marino amateur representative side, following defeat in their opener against the Irish, today faced the Bulgarian selection of South-West Bulgaria. And Luigi Bizzotto's team came very close to taking all three points. Without the suspended Gentilini in goal and captain Angelini, Bizzotto starts with Broccoli between the posts and Arrigoni at right-back, with Pesaresi moved into the centre of defence. Little of note happens in the first quarter of an hour: the tempo is fairly low and there are few chances of any real danger. Shortly after, Valchinov tries to break the deadlock with a fine effort from distance, the ball drifting just wide of Broccoli’s right-hand post. On 21 minutes, the Bulgarians build down the right and send in a cross, but central striker Yankov cannot quite reach it in the box. South-West Bulgaria threaten again from a set piece, but Metodiev’s delivery sails over the crossbar. Just before the half-hour mark the Bulgarians are dangerous once more: Petrov’s shot is blocked by the white-and-blue wall and then Krastev fires on goal, but Broccoli is outstanding and tips it behind for a corner. NAT are not suffering unduly but are struggling to get the ball up to Urbinati, the central striker preferred to Mema, who started against the Irish. NAT San Marino grow in confidence and on 35 minutes create two promising openings: first Urbinati battles with the Bulgarian centre-backs, then finds room for the shot but Kotev gathers; moments later Dormi also tries his luck from distance, but the playmaker’s effort is straight at the keeper. Five minutes from the interval, however, South-West Bulgaria manage to break the deadlock: a ball played from midfield with just the right weight finds Krastev, one of the liveliest players on the pitch; he lets it bounce and then strikes a superb left-footed effort across goal into the far corner, giving Broccoli no chance. NAT respond immediately to going behind through captain Gaiani, who tries from range but sends his shot over the bar. Slovak referee Kralovic adds no stoppage time, and the sides go in at the break with the Bulgarians one goal to the good. At half-time Bizzotto goes to his bench and brings on Colagiovanni for Semprini. The NAT coach is then also unfortunate as he is forced into another change shortly afterwards (53') due to injury, when Michael Parma feels a pull in his leg and has to make way for Olivieri. The script changes little after the restart: the Bulgarians are rarely dangerous, while the men in white and blue grow in belief. Tempers begin to flare and the first yellow cards are shown. Shortly after (63') goalscorer Krastev tries again from distance, but this time his effort flies over. On 70 minutes a poor challenge by striker Yankov – already on a booking – on Arrigoni earns the Bulgarian forward a second yellow card, leaving South-West Bulgaria down to ten men for the final twenty minutes. NAT push even harder and in the 79th minute Dormi comes agonisingly close to the equaliser, but his close-range shot is beaten away by goalkeeper Kotev. On 82 minutes comes the incident that changes the match: a foul on Mema, who had come on for Comuniello, inside the penalty area, and the referee points to the spot. The forward himself steps up and scores, but the referee orders a retake. The striker keeps his composure and again beats Kotev to make it 1-1. The game springs back into life: shortly afterwards Broccoli twice shuts the door on the Bulgarians’ attempts to respond to the goal conceded. Time ticks away and the match moves into added time. In the final four minutes chances rain down at both ends: first Dormi shoots but the Bulgarian defence blocks, then Olivieri halts a counter-attack; NAT San Marino then launch a break of their own, with Dormi bursting forward and sliding in Mema, who even finds the net with what could have been the winner, but the assistant’s flag is up for offside and the goal is ruled out. There is no time for more and the sides head to the dressing rooms at 1-1. A fine performance is not enough for NAT San Marino to claim a win that could have put them back in the frame for qualification. In Group 6 the Irish are on maximum points with two wins and are already assured of top spot; the Bulgarian representative side are on two points, with the Romanian and San Marino teams on one. The final match, against Romanian side Prahova Muntenia, is scheduled for Monday 31 October.  

---

UEFA Regions' Cup 2022 | South-West Bulgaria – NAT San Marino 1-1     SOUTH-WEST BULGARIA Kotev; Mihalkov (86' Todorov), Stoynev, Madzharov, Trendafilov; Petrov (71' Dafkov), Metodiev (86' Manolov), Radkov; Valchinov (60' Eftimov), Yankov, Krastev.   Substitutes: Markovski, Hristov, Ali.   Coach: Iordan Yurkov     NAT SAN MARINO Broccoli; Parma (53' Olivieri) , Arrigoni, Grieco (69' Senja), Pesaresi; Gaiani, Semprini (46' Colagiovanni), Dormi; Comuniello (69' Mema), Ciacci, Urbinati.   Substitutes: Baizan   Coach: Luigi Bizzotto     Referee: Peter Kralovic (SVK) Assistant referees: Frantisek Ferenc (SVK), Mesrop Ghazaryan (ARM) Fourth official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)     Booked: 24' Grieco, 56' Comuniello, 58' Ciacci, 84' Mema, 88' Gaiani; 58' Petrov, 64' Yankov   Sent off: 70' Yankov (second yellow card)   Scorers: 41' Krastev, 84' pen. Mema

---