Under-15s: San Marino finish runners-up, beating Liechtenstein as well

The San Marino Under-15 national team rounded off their UEFA Development Tournament experience in Malta in style. Unbeaten over ninety minutes against all three opponents, Vanni’s side finished second behind the hosts, who beat the Biancazzurri on penalties in the opening game and were therefore awarded one extra point in the standings. Both teams then went on to claim two wins each: yesterday, Malta’s second victory came in the morning match at the Centenary Stadium (Andorra, 1-0 with a goal by Mangion on 47 minutes), and it was also for this reason that the Titans approached the clash with Liechtenstein with the right mindset. With no chance of winning the tournament, this fixture had all the makings of a classic banana skin, with the risk of being overtaken at the last hurdle. On the pitch it was a different story: San Marino ran out 2-1 winners, with late strikes from Berardinelli and Cola. In added time, Keel’s goal was not enough to put the result in doubt.

Both sides approached the game with great intensity, sharing the aim of getting the better of their opponents and securing second place. Liechtenstein’s game plan was clear: as soon as they won back possession, they looked to hit it long towards the forwards. On 9 minutes Morri was alert coming off his line, gathering a loose ball after Celli had closed down Dill. At the other end there was work too for Messeiller, who showed great reflexes to parry Gualandi’s effort from the edge of the box. The following interventions on San Marino’s long-range attempts posed fewer problems. Liechtenstein responded through captain Telser, who first played a ball across the face of goal without finding a team-mate, then tried to go it alone but pushed the ball too far in the penalty area. The last chance of the first half fell to Marxer, who drew an excellent save from Morri.

At the start of the second half the Biancazzurrini threatened with two consecutive corners, the second of which resulted in a thunderous strike from Gualandi that flew just wide. At the other end, Taddei atoned for a defensive error by producing a double block on Ackermann, who was already eyeing the opener for his side. This was the best spell for Troisio’s boys, who camped in the attacking third, but Morri and his team-mates defended well as a unit and gave little away. The exception was Telser’s piledriver, which crashed against the outside of the post. The Alpine side’s captain tried again shortly afterwards, but was once more denied by Jacopo Morri, one of the standout performers on the pitch. Midway through the half San Marino grew into the game, creating chances with a volley from Selva and a shot by Gualandi, both of which cleared the crossbar. The finale was wide open: on 77 minutes Morri was again outstanding, denying Keel after a corner. Less than two hundred seconds later, the Biancazzurrini showed no such generosity: Gualandi was unstoppable down the flank and when his cross was half-cleared, Berardinelli pounced, cushioning the ball with his left, beating a defender with a feint and firing past Messeiller with his right. The closing stages were breathless, but San Marino struck again first: Francioni combined with Castelli, who beat Erbach in a one-on-one and laid a gilt‑edged chance on a plate for Cola, who doubled the lead in his one-on-one with Messeiller. That proved to be the winning goal, because in stoppage time there was only room for Liechtenstein’s consolation, scored by Keel from a corner.

The Titans conclude the UEFA Development Tournament in second place with seven points from three matches, thanks to victories over Andorra (4-1) and Liechtenstein (2-1) after the draw on debut with hosts Malta (2-2, 6-7 on penalties). The shoot-out in that match earned the Maltese the crucial extra point that sealed the Biancorossi’s triumph in front of their home crowd.

UEFA Development Tournament Under 15 | Liechtenstein-San Marino 1-2

LIECHTENSTEIN

Messeiller, Kind (70’ Farrer), Erbach, Keel, Baymann, Marxer, Dill (80’ Matt), Telser, Ackermann (70’ Rotunno), Hoch (46’ Haas), Kaiser

Substitutes: Catroppa, Kranz, Gyaja, Berger

Coach: Simone Troisio

SAN MARINO

Morri, Taddei (59’ Ricci), Frisoni, Cola, Celli, Mattei (47’ Bonci), Gualandi (46’ Rosati), Berardinelli, Selva (75’ Francioni), Ugolini, De Biagi (75’ Castelli)

Substitutes: Vignali, Gobbi, Grandoni, Pignatiello

Coach: Ettore Vanni

Scorers: 80’ Berardinelli, 90’ Cola, 90+3’ Keel

Booked: De Biagi, Berardinelli, Cola