Under-15: San Marino finish third after defeat to Albania, decided after the break

The 2023 Development Tournament for Under-15 national teams came to an end with another excellent performance from the young Biancazzurri. Facing hosts Albania today, the Titani produced a display full of solidity and pride, keeping a clean sheet throughout the first half before succumbing to a header from Vukaj – a forward on the books of Inter in Italy – and a late strike from Mihana. Overall, it was a very good tournament for Belluzzi’s boys, with all twenty players called up for the week in Albania seeing game time. The win over the Faroe Islands is not only a reward for the work of the players, coaching staff and officials – a source of pride for the entire Sammarinese football movement – but also clear evidence of the abilities and qualities of this Under-15 side. In today’s match, after a quarter of an hour of mutual sparring in which neither defence was really troubled, it was San Marino who threatened first through an incursion by Raschi, who went through one-on-one with Kolgecaj. The Brescia goalkeeper was decisive and turned the effort behind for a corner. Shortly afterwards it was Arlotti’s turn to have a go, but his strike from the edge of the box missed the target by just a few centimetres. Albania responded around the half-hour mark, first with a shot from Borici – beaten away by Cenci – and then with a moment of brilliance from Vukaj. The young Inter forward dribbled past three opponents before unleashing a powerful drive, once again well kept out by the ever-reliable Cenci. After the restart, Vukaj failed to hit the target from a set piece, but he broke the deadlock on 52 minutes with a towering header that flew into the top corner, leaving Conti with no chance. San Marino did not lose their shape, showing they remained fully in the contest also mentally, and they created a flurry of chances on 64 minutes, but the equaliser just would not come. The Albanian backline, often under pressure, managed to hold firm, in particular on three consecutive corners forced by the Sammarinese pressure. In the closing stages, with the Biancazzurri having nothing left to protect, captain Gekaj went close to doubling the lead, which his team-mate Mihana – introduced at half-time – duly did five minutes from the final whistle. From a wide free-kick, the home striker showed great awareness to be perfectly placed to finish off a knock-down from a team-mate. The young Titani ended the match on the front foot, seeking a goal that might reopen the contest, but without success. Quite the opposite of the overall assessment of a tournament that provided encouraging signs in every area, not least the third-place finish ultimately secured by San Marino.

---

U15 Development Tournament, Matchday 3 | Albania-San Marino 2-0   ALBANIA Kolgecaj, Kurti (dal 41' Mihana), Arapi (dal 49' Cekrezi), Kovaci, Gecaj, Deda, Borici (dal 57' Gavelli), Agolli (dal 48' Vogli), Begolli, Vukaj, (dal 74' Kthupi), Neziri Substitutes: Huli, Koci, Gjoshi, Shega Head coach: Armand Damo   SAN MARINO Cenci (dal 60' Conti), Canarezza (dal 60' Molinari), Meloni (dal 66' D'Angeli), Montali, Mattei, Grandoni, Arlotti, Baldazzi (dal 53' Coletta), Zavoli (dal 53' Pennacchini), Raschi, Tamagnini (dal 41' De Biagi) Substitutes: Guidi, Colombini, Podeschi Head coach: Enrico Belluzzi   Referee: Cokaj (ALB) Assistants: Perndreca (ALB) and Zefej (ALB) Fourth official: Lesaj (ALB) Scorers: 52' Vukaj, 75' Mihana

---