U15: battling San Marino go down 3-0 to highly rated Slovakia

An excellent performance from the San Marino U15 National Team, who for long spells held their own against a highly rated Slovakia side – physically strong and full of talent. The start was tough, with the visitors taking the lead as early as the 4th minute through captain Rajnoha, but San Marino’s reaction was impressive, carving out dangerous incursions both from high pressing and from well-worked moves. On 21 minutes, Arlotti set up Canarezza for a shot that the Slovak goalkeeper managed to smother at the second attempt. In between, Conti had saved a long-range effort. In the closing stages of the first half, Slovakia pushed again: Guidi denied them a second on 23 minutes, but Féher did make it 2-0 ten minutes later, arriving late in the box to turn in Lábo’s assist. Before half-time, the third came from Daniel, who rose well to head home from a corner. After the break the game was more balanced, with only sporadic chances reflecting a goalless second half – but with the Titani alert and positive in their play. Belluzzi’s side gave very little away, dealing well with a couple of tricky set-piece situations where the opponents’ physicality was most evident. Fittingly, it was from a corner that Arlotti went close to a consolation goal on 50 minutes. Montali was off target from long range on 56 minutes, while no one was able to get on the end of Raschi’s break midway through the half. A special mention for Conti, who in stoppage time pulled off a miraculous save to deny Rabatin. A very good team display, both from those who started and from those who came off the bench (four substitutions were made at half-time, with a further four during the second half). Tomorrow the young Biancazzurri will be able to catch their breath, while already turning their thoughts to Friday’s match against the Faroe Islands, who were beaten 2-0 by hosts Albania in the opening fixture of the Development Tournament.

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U15 Development Tournament, Matchday 1 | Slovakia-San Marino 3-0   SAN MARINO Conti, D'Angeli (from 41' Podeschi), Meloni, Canarezza (from 41' Tamagnini), Guidi (from 67' Molinari), Grandoni (from 50' Mattei), Coletta (from 41' Montali), Arlotti, Colombini (from 41' De Biagi), Pennacchini (from 50' Zavoli), Raschi (from 60' Baldazzi) Substitute: Cenci Head coach: Enrico Belluzzi   SLOVAKIA Gramblicka (from 41' Kovalcik), Okal (from 41' Rabatin), Daniel (from 41' Pittel), Feher (from 51' Poltak), Labo (from 41' Majoros), Baravelli (from 41' Simko), Koribsky (from 51' Jencus), Mateas (from 51' Toplansky), Mikunda, Ozvold, Rajnoha (from 51' Grexa) Head coach: Martin Zamba     Referee: Gryka (ALB) Assistant referees: Loci (ALB) and Cena (ALB) Fourth official: Bacaj (ALB) Scorers: 4' Rajnoha, 33' Féher, 37' Daniel

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