Under-16: penalties prove fatal again against Belize

In action this morning against their Belizean peers, the Under-16 Biancazzurrini – led by head coach Bonesso – recorded their second consecutive draw, following the 2-2 against Kosovo. As in Saturday’s match, the stalemate at the final whistle automatically led to a penalty shoot-out – with two points on offer for the winners and one for the losing side. To go in order, it was Belize who broke the deadlock on 14 minutes with a wonder goal from Alessandro Valle. A costly ball lost by the Titani in their own third allowed the midfielder to unleash a right-footed strike of remarkable power and accuracy. Nothing Achille Conti could do about the 20‑metre rocket from the opponent. The Biancazzurrini rolled up their sleeves to get back on level terms and the determination of Bonesso’s boys was rewarded right at the end of normal time. Molinari burst down the flank, beat his direct marker and whipped in a cross to the far post where Baldazzi arrived right on cue to head home the 1-1 equaliser on 90 minutes. Nothing of note happened in the six minutes of added time, so Dashnor Vaizaj sent the contest to penalties. Once again the shoot-out proved cursed for San Marino, who, by a twist of fate, were punished by the spot-kick errors of the two players involved in the last-gasp equaliser. Molinari saw the first penalty saved, Baldazzi the fourth. The Central Americans were flawless, even though Conti managed to get a hand to at least two of the kicks, including that of captain Glenn, which sealed a Belize victory by 5-3 on aggregate. The two points allow Belize to draw level in the standings with San Marino, who remain unbeaten in regulation time but are once more defeated from the spot. The Biancazzurrini will be back in action on Thursday 7 March to face hosts Albania in their third and final fixture at the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament.  

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UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament, Matchday 2 | Belize – San Marino 1-1 (4-2 pens)   BELIZE Rodriguez, Linares, Pixabaj (from 75' Gongra Jr.), Glenn, S. Lopez, Stanford (from 46' Carranza), Valle (from 75' Quintanilla), Herrera (from 46' Olivas), Meza Jr. (from 29' Gutierrez), Lawrence (from 69' Dussa), McKenzie (from 69' Marshall) Substitutes: D. Lopez, Joseph Coach: Philip Marin   SAN MARINO Conti, Guidi (from 46' Grana), Meloni (from 57' Bucchi), Colombini, Montali, Podeschi (from 46' Raschi), Arlotti, Tamagnini (from 46' Molinari), Coletta (from 46' Giordani), Terni (from 57' Canarezza), Grandoni (from 57' Baldazzi) Substitutes: Cenci, Zavoli Coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso   Referee: Dashnor Neizaj Assistant referees: Endri Fejzullah and Ardit Balaj Fourth official: Kejdi Hyka Scorers: 14' Valle, 90' Baldazzi Booked: Glenn, Montali, Valle, Pixabaj, Meze Jr., Carranza, Canarezza, Marshall, Rodriguez Sent off: Bucchi Penalty shoot-out sequence: Gutierrez SCORES – Molinari MISSES; Linares SCORES – Colombini MISSES; Lopez SCORES – Bucchi SCORES; Glenn SCORES – Baldazzi MISSES

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