U17 EURO qualifying: San Marino celebrate again after 24 years, Montali decides clash with Wales

After Friday’s match against Georgia, the Biancazzurri faced Wales today. A crucial win for the U17 National Team, who had not won an official UEFA match since March 2002, and who now move into second place in the group, awaiting Thursday’s game against Andorra. Bonesso makes three changes to his starting eleven compared to Friday, including Sammaritani, who is suspended. The first half offers few real chances at either end and finishes goalless. In the opening period it is Wales who control possession, but without ever seriously troubling the San Marino backline. Five minutes after kick-off Ciacci tries to catch the opposing goalkeeper out with a shot from the halfway line, but it lacks power. From the same move Wales break and Lewis shoots, but fails to hit the target. Shortly afterwards Beckwith finds space on the edge of the area: his central effort is comfortably saved by Michelotti; Jac Ynyr Jones pounces on the rebound but miscontrols and loses the ball. Midway through the first half the Welsh threaten again, Lewis is left free in the box and shoots, but Michelotti saves confidently. San Marino respond with a free-kick delivery from Ciacci that drops into the area, Jourdain arrives but commits a foul in attack. A few minutes later Papirnyk goes in search of the opener: a curling effort from the edge that goes just wide.

The second half begins with a double chance for Wales. San Marino lose the ball as they break, Alfie Jones takes advantage and lets fly from distance, Michelotti keeps it out with his leg. The rebound falls to Jac Ynyr Jones but the Biancazzurri keeper, still on the ground, somehow pulls off a second big save. Wales keep pushing and go close from a corner: Finley Evans rises highest and directs his header towards the corner, but Michelotti stretches to turn it away. Immediately afterwards the Titans threaten at the other end: following a cleared corner the ball drops to Ciacci, who takes a superb touch and unleashes a dangerous shot that forces Wilson to turn it behind for a corner. Mazza swings it in for Bucchi, who attempts a spectacular overhead kick that sails over the bar. The goal that breaks the deadlock arrives on the hour: Ciacci, with a pinpoint pass from the centre circle, picks out Montali in the penalty area and he beats the goalkeeper with a precise diagonal finish. San Marino then misplay a counter-attack and gift the ball to their opponents, Papirnyk drills a low shot that shaves the post. Moments later Wales threaten again: a through ball finds Lewis, whose effort is denied by Jourdain with a brilliant last-ditch block. Gunter’s boys refuse to give up and chase the equaliser through Goulding, who lines up a shot inside the box, but Valentini produces an excellent intervention to clear the danger. A few minutes later Salter bursts down the left and fires in a dangerous cross for Finley Evans, who cannot make contact; Norris follows up but is blocked by Terni. In the closing minutes Wales even find what would be the equaliser, but Louis Sebastian Evans is caught in an offside position. Just a minute later there is another big chance for the Welsh leveller: a clearance from the defence falls straight to Tankiewicz, who miscues his shot. The final major scare comes one minute from full time: Walker tries his luck from distance and forces Michelotti into a stunning save, confirming that he is enjoying a truly inspired day. San Marino thus manage to take home three points they had been waiting on for 24 years. After the encouraging showing against Georgia, Bonesso’s boys back it up, adding a crucial positive result to the good tactical signs. Something to build on again next Thursday in the final outing against Andorra, who today lost 1-0 to Georgia.

UEFA European Under-17 Championship, Round 2 – Group B3, Matchday 2 | Wales–San Marino 0-1

WALES (3-4-3)

Wilson; Goulding, L. Evans, F. Evans; Robinson (60’ Salter), Lewis, A. Jones (60’ Walker), Beckwith (60’ Tankiewicz); Itsindo (60’ Norris), Papirnyk (68’ Lorimer), J. Jones

Substitutes: Cross, Walls, Daniel

Head coach: Christopher Gunter

SAN MARINO (5-3-2)

Michelotti; Valentini (90’+3 Baggiarini), Prendi (88’ Piergiacomi), Jourdain, Zavoli, Terni; Bucchi, Mazza, Cervellini (46’ Montali); Ciacci (90’+3 Pala), Montebelli (77’ Raschi)

Substitutes: Bucci, Romiti, Balsimelli

Head coach: Alessandro Bonesso

Referee: Fotios Polychronis (GRE)

Assistant referees: Athanasios Kollias (GRE), Mehmet Tugral (TUR)

Fourth official: Cihan Aydın (TUR)

Scorer: 63’ Montali

Booked: Lewis, Itsindo, Terni, Valentini

Attendance: 90