Under-16: Baldazzi’s goal not enough as Albania win, but the tournament goes to Kosovo

In the third and final match of the Development Tournament, Loris Bonesso’s San Marino Under-16 national team lose out to hosts Albania. It’s Ardi Behari’s side who break the deadlock on 9 minutes: a cross from the right finds the head of Jordan Luan Kinnavong, who rises above the Biancazzurri centre-backs and beats Alessandro Cenci. The Titans react and shortly afterwards create a chance through Nicola Molinari, who wins back possession well but, just as he is about to shoot, is denied by opposing captain Nuhaj. The Albanian Eagles double their lead in the 23rd minute: a rapid counter-attack orchestrated by Mihana, who then plays in team-mate Myrtaj; the forward powers his way past Colombini and Zavoli before beating Cenci. The Titans, however, refuse to give up and immediately get back into the game: a free-kick from the edge of the box by Leone Arlotti is directed towards goal, the Albanian goalkeeper gets a touch and diverts the ball onto the post, and on the rebound the quickest to react is Alessandro Baldazzi who – after scoring in the last match against Belize – makes it 2-1. Half-time arrives with Albania holding a slender lead, which they extend at the start of the second half. An excellent through ball from Shega finds Kinnavong, who makes no mistake and completes his brace. Around the 75th minute San Marino have another chance to reduce the arrears through Simone Tamagnini – brilliantly picked out in behind – who drives towards goal and goes for the finish, but the assistant referee raises his flag for offside. The minutes tick away until the referee’s final whistle, which confirms all three points for Albania. The win takes the Eagles to seven points, the same tally as Kosovo – 3-0 winners over Belize today – who claim the tournament thanks to their superior head-to-head record.

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UEFA U16 Development Tournament, Matchday 3 | Albania-San Marino 3-1   ALBANIA Mustafa (from 58' Culi), Kurti, Nuhaj, Marqueshi (from 40' Kthupi), Vogli (from 58' Borici), Mihana (from 76' Ramku), Myrtaj, Kinnavong, Mali (from 27' Gecaj), Bajrami (from 65' Kovaci), Shkembi (from 40' Shega) Head coach: Ardi Behari   SAN MARINO Cenci (from 61' Conti), Raschi (from 50' Guidi), Meloni (from 80' Grandoni), Colombini, Montali, Arlotti, Tamagnini, Canarezza (from 61' Terni), Zavoli (from 46' Grana), Molinari (from 50' Coletta), Baldazzi (from 50' Giordani) Substitutes: Podeschi Head coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso   Referee: Migel Bode Assistant referees: Kledi Shehu and Enes Ahmeti Fourth official: Dionis Kushta Scorers: 9', 52' Kinnavong, 23' Myrtaj, 27' Baldazzi

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