U17 European Qualifiers: San Marino score again but Andorra take the points

After Monday’s win, San Marino faced Andorra in the match that closed Group B3 of Round 2 of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers. Bonesso’s boys paid for a lack of cutting edge, in contrast to their opponents, who were clinical with the chances they created. The game started at full throttle with a fine goal just a few minutes after kick-off: Soriano Sanchez struck from distance after a lay-off from Carlos Gonzalez, the ball flying over Bucci and into the net. The Biancoazzurri tried to respond, circulating the ball but without managing to make the most of promising situations to get their shots away. Around the quarter-hour, Bucchi picked out Montali, who burst into the penalty area but was denied at the last moment by Sanchez. On 20 minutes Juanfran tried to double the lead: a free-kick from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Bucci. Ten minutes from the break the San Marino goalkeeper launched an attack: a long ball to Sammaritani, who broke down the right, beat two men and slipped it to Montebelli on the by-line. In the middle, Montali showed for the pass and received it but, under pressure from a defender, failed to make proper contact. San Marino did not let their heads drop; Bucchi won the ball back in the attacking third, created space for the shot and went for goal, but his effort was weak and gathered by Soares Brito. In stoppage time Andorra made it 2-0 with a brilliant solo effort from Huguet Martinez: he won a rebound, beat two players and, with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box, left Bucci with no chance.

The second half began with a shot from Soriano Sanchez, who was teed up by Subiros but fired over the crossbar. Bucchi led San Marino’s reply: he recovered the ball and drove forward on the right on a personal run; as he attempted the cross, the ball ran behind for a goal-kick. Casals’ side looked to kill off the game, building from the back and pushing on: a wonderful cross into the box found Carlos Gonzalez, who in trying to shoot handled the ball and conceded a foul. On the hour mark it was Ciacci who worried the Andorran defence, his left-footed drive from distance saved by Soares Brito; the ball stayed in play and Juanfran was first to it to clear. A few minutes later Bonesso’s boys again went in search of a goal: Montebelli received the ball wide, cut inside and slipped in the run of Mazza, whose shot was kept out by Soares Brito. Moments later, Zavoli drove between two men into the area with the ball at his feet, went to ground and appealed for a penalty, which the referee waved away. San Marino continued to attack, this time down the right. A long throw into the box found Sammaritani, who tried to flick it on with his head towards a team-mate; Mazza arrived and struck a defender, then Montebelli saw his shot blocked by the back line; the ball eventually fell to Cervellini, whose effort was saved by Soares Brito, and finally to Montali, who fired over. Andorra threatened again with a cross from Barral, Costa Tavares heading over the bar. Andorra’s third goal arrived on 76 minutes through Fernandez Frau: played in inside the area, he shifted the ball onto his right and fired into the net. Almost immediately the Biancoazzurri, now three goals down, managed to score through Pala, who, after evading a defender, shot low into the corner, beating Soares Brito. The Andorrans pushed to finish it off and went in search of a fourth through Costa Tavares, who was sent clear on goal, but Bucci stood tall and saved his team. There was another attempt for San Marino: Sammaritani’s cross into the box fell to Mazza, who knocked it ahead of him and pulled the trigger, but Soares Brito saved. The final scare of the match came in stoppage time: Fernandez Frau released Costa Tavares in behind, Bucci came racing out in a risky challenge and managed to block the ball but found himself stranded outside the area; Huguet Martinez shot from the halfway line towards the unguarded goal, only for Zavoli, sprinting back, to clear off the line. The win allows Andorra to leapfrog San Marino in the standings and finish the group in second place, one point ahead of the San Marino side, who end up third. Meanwhile the match between Georgia and Wales finished 2-2, with the Georgians remaining unbeaten and topping the group.

EURO U-17, Round 2 – Group B3, Matchday 3 | Andorra v San Marino 3-1

ANDORRA (5-4-1)

Soares Brito; Sanchez (82’ Foubert Fite), Juanfran, Sola, Sonejee Sukhnani (57’ Barral), Cerqueda; Reinoso Calvo (57’ Vazquez), Huguet Martinez, Subiros, Soriano Sanchez (66’ Fernandez Frau); Carlos Gonzalez (57’ Costa Tavares)

Substitutes: Rodriguez, Gumà Cerqueda, Ferreira Pardell, Deu Martinez

Head coach: Eloy Casals

SAN MARINO (5-3-2)

Bucci; Valentini (77’ Pala), Sammaritani, Jourdain (46’ Prendi), Zavoli, Terni (55’ Cervellini); Bucchi (55’ Raschi), Mazza, Montali (77’ Romiti); Ciacci, Montebelli

Substitutes: Michelotti, Piergiacomi, Balsimelli, Baggiarini

Head coach: Alessandro Bonesso

Referee: Cihan Aydın (TUR)

Assistant referees: Mehmet Tugral (TUR), Dušan Štofik (SVK)

Fourth official: Lukáš Dzivjak (SVK)

Scorers: 4’ Soriano Sanchez, 45’+1 Huguet Martinez, 76’ Fernandez Frau, 79’ Pala

Booked: Zavoli, Huguet Martinez, Prendi

Attendance: 145