Under-17: Switzerland make the most of the opening quarter-hour to win their debut match

The Under-17 National Team fell 2-0 to Switzerland in their opening Group 10 match. The Swiss made their mark in the first fifteen minutes or so, scoring both goals that settled the contest. Switzerland flew out of the blocks and took the lead inside three minutes: Azemi weaved his way smartly in the box before unleashing a shot that nestled right in the top corner. The Swiss onslaught then eased off, to the point that the next noteworthy moment did not arrive until the quarter-hour mark: a corner was swung into Izquierdo’s zone, and his movement wrong-footed Montebelli, who inadvertently put through his own net. Azemi went close to the top corner again on 19 minutes, this time from a free-kick, his effort just clearing the target. Shortly after, San Marino had a set piece of their own. Ciacci laid the ball off for a long-range strike from Terni, which, however, failed to trouble Swiss goalkeeper Kunath. Ramos Vogt did cause problems for Bucci, meeting a pinpoint cross from Barbieri: the San Marino goalkeeper did brilliantly to fling himself to his left and claw away the header, preventing a third goal. In added time Switzerland made another attempt to go 3-0 up: Barbieri powered down the left flank and delivered a low cross that Kurti wasted by shooting wide.

After the break San Marino raised the intensity of their play. Within a couple of minutes, the Young Titans were in the penalty area trying to make something of a corner. Ciacci delivered into an area where the Swiss defence, thanks above all to their height, imposed themselves. In any case, the storyline was that of a San Marino side refusing to accept the scoreline and giving everything to reduce the deficit as soon as possible. Switzerland, though, were often dangerous whenever they won the ball back. As in the 57th minute, when Izquierdo tried to surprise Bucci with a shot from outside the area, forcing a difficult save from the Biancazzurri goalkeeper. Past the hour mark, Switzerland tried their luck with another couple of efforts, though none were on target. On 70 minutes, from a set-piece situation, Bucchi beat his man down the left and whipped in a cross that goalkeeper Kunath read early, snuffing out the danger despite San Marino’s presence in the box. Switzerland quickly pushed up again and threatened through an Izquierdo cross for Wiesner, who fired wide. On 82 minutes Terni was crucial in blocking Gunjevic just as he was about to pull the trigger after some excellent work by Gambardella on the wing; also important were Bucci’s punches on a wicked corner swung in just before the 90th minute. Switzerland kept pressing in added time, but San Marino denied them any further chances. On Friday at 17:00 the Young Titans will be back in action to face hosts Slovakia.

UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifiers, Round 1 MD1 | Switzerland – San Marino 2-0

SWITZERLAND (4-4-2)

Kunath; Kakor, Smajic, Onwuzulike, Ponik; Kurti (62’ Bajraktar), Gigon (74’ Gambardella), Izquierdo, Barbieri (74’ Ocran); Azemi (82’ Gunjevic), Ramos Vogt (62’ Wiesner)

Substitutes: Meier, Colelli, Tanner, Srejic

Head coach: Massimo Rizzo

SAN MARINO (3-5-2)

Bucci; Sammaritani (82’ Zavoli), Stefani, Terni; Valentini (86’ Berardi), Cervellini (46’ Monaldi), Mazza, Bucchi, Montali (46’ Prendi); Ciacci, Montebelli (82’ Raschi)

Substitutes: Michelotti, Pala, Balsimelli, Muccioli

Head coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso

Referee: Igor Bosca (MDA)

Assistant referees: Ghennadi Lisita (MDA), Patrik Kmec (SVK)

Fourth official: Lukáš Dzivjak (SVK)

Booked: Sammaritani

Scorers: 3’ Azemi, 16’ own goal Montebelli