Under-15: Cyprus prevail despite a good first half from the Titani

The UEFA Development Tournament begins with a defeat for the San Marino Under-15 National Team, currently in action in Cyprus. After a good first half, Magnani’s young Titani went down 5-0 yesterday to their Cypriot counterparts. The Biancazzurri started the game well, winning a free-kick on the left taken by Ciacci, but Zavoli was beaten to the ball by a whisker. On the quarter-hour mark, Raschi produced a good burst down the left flank and then delivered a ball into the middle once again for Zavoli, who was anticipated by the goalkeeper. Protests came from the Titani bench, who appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. San Marino continued to press, mainly from set pieces taken by Ciacci, without however finding the decisive touch to take the lead. Just as Magnani’s boys were enjoying their best spell, Cyprus went in front through Kazakeos, who stole the ball off the San Marino backline as they were building from the back and then beat goalkeeper Bucci. The Titani reacted well, with Ciacci trying his luck from the edge of the box, but the Cypriot goalkeeper held on. The hosts pushed again and doubled their lead just two minutes later: a back-pass to Bucci, who controlled it on the edge of the area, but the high pressing forced an error from the keeper, allowing Oikonomou to nick the ball and slot it home for 2-0. The Titani looked to regroup despite the two-goal deficit and shortly before half-time carved out a good chance to halve the arrears: an excellent long ball from Pala found Raschi, who hit it first time superbly towards goal, only for Cypriot keeper Adoni to keep it out with his foot in a fine save. In the second half, after an initially balanced phase, the hosts struck for a third, with Kazakekos taking advantage of a low clearance from goalkeeper Bucci and then catching the Titani shot-stopper out with a deft lob from distance. Cyprus made it four shortly after the hour with a good move starting on the right and finished off from close range by Roti. Cyprus kept pushing despite their commanding lead and, on 80 minutes, Christodoulou tried his luck with a good effort from the edge of the area, but substitute goalkeeper Frisoni – on for Bucci – did well to save. In the 85th minute, however, the hosts completed the rout: a fine through ball from Neofytou picked out Roti, who from the corner of the box squared perfectly for Gerasimou, and his crisp, precise diagonal finish beat Frisoni to make it 5-0. The next fixture for Matteo Magnani’s Under-15 side is tomorrow at 11:00 local time (10:00 in San Marino), when they face Bulgaria – 1-0 winners over Armenia in yesterday’s opener.

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UEFA Under-15 Development Tournament 2023, DAY 1 | Cyprus – San Marino 5-0 CYPRUS Adoni; Lithrangomiths, Chatzichampi (from 76' Theodosiou), Konis (from 76' Toumpas), Neofytou, Oikonomou (from 76' Roti), Savva (from 67' Gerasimou), Kestas (from 67' Konstantinou), Kazakeos (from 67' M. Christodoulou), Panagi (from 46' Partasides), Kappos (from 46' K. Christodoulou) Substitutes: Antoniou Coach: Valentinos Koulountes SAN MARINO Bucci (from 75' Frisoni); Pala, Battazza, Terni (from 79' Muccioli), Bucchi, Cika (from 46' Guidi), Raschi (from 75' Partisani), Ciacci (from 75' Losco), Zavoli (from 46' Gritti), Cervellini (from 55' Maiani), Valentini (from 46' Berardi) Substitutes: Stefani Coach: Matteo Magnani   Referee: Ioannis Piripitsis (CYP) Assistant referees: Benizelos Georgiou and Marios Prodromou (CYP) Booked: Chatzichampi, Battazza Scorers: 37' Kestas, 39' Oikonomou, 65' Kazakeos, 76' Roti, 86' Gerasimou

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