Under-15: winning start for San Marino, Gibraltar beaten on penalties

The Under-15 Development Tournament hosted in San Marino begins in the best possible way for Luigi Di Spirito’s Biancazzurrini, who overcome Gibraltar on penalties after a draw over the ninety minutes. In the very early stages, Valentini has a great chance to put his side in front from close range, but sends his left-footed effort wide after a scramble in the box. No less clear is the opportunity created by Gibraltar, who pay for Chaudhary’s lack of ruthlessness in the 4th minute. Shortly afterwards, the Red and Whites take the lead from a corner: Castrey finds the net, taking advantage of a block on Zavoli’s attempted claim that is deemed legal. Despite the momentum at this stage being entirely with Gibraltar, San Marino have the merit of staying compact and limiting their opponents to a few speculative long-range efforts. The Biancazzurrini reply with an off-target attempt by Cupi, shortly before Galia’s shot-cross that scares the home back line. Before the break, captain Macina wins the ball high up the pitch and slides Valentini into the area – only for the latter to be denied at the crucial moment by a monumental Toshev. After the restart, it takes just ten minutes for Luigi Di Spirito’s boys to put everything back on level terms: a long ball from Berardi splits the Gibraltarian centre-backs, and Macina keeps his cool and stamps home the goal for 1-1. Soon after, the hosts also carve out a chance to complete the turnaround following effective pressing from Jourdain. The loose ball falls to Sensoli, whose effort shaves the far top corner. In the dying stages of a second half heavily tinged in light blue and white, San Marino have two chances to seal a deserved victory: first they are denied by Toshev’s reflex save on a close-range header from Macina, then they curse their luck when Jourdain crashes a stunning right-footed volley off the post. It is hardly the ideal prelude to the penalty shoot-out ordered by the referee immediately after that effort against the woodwork. Instead, the Titans prove composed and clinical – also being able to rely on a superb Zavoli. In addition to the faultless spot kicks by Macina, Valmaseda Garcia and Valentini, San Marino can celebrate the two penalties saved by their goalkeeper from Chichon and Amor. Finishing the job is Sensoli, whose low right-footed strike across goal seals a 5-3 win on penalties, worth two points in the standings for San Marino and one for Gibraltar. Andorra, emphatic in their victory over Liechtenstein, top the table after the opening matchday. The Pyreneans race into a 2-0 lead thanks to Veiga Sanchez’s brace on 17 and 54 minutes, before making it three through substitute Galvez Martin shortly after the hour mark. Diehr’s converted penalty provides a consolation for Liechtenstein, who are struck again deep into added time by Da Costa Oliveira’s finish for a final score of 4-1.