FSGC - Under 17: Titans flawless for 85 minutes, Greece strike at the end of the first half (28/10/2023)

Under 17: Titans flawless for 85 minutes, Greece strike at the end of the first half

Youth National Teams - 28 October 2023

Under 17: Titans flawless for 85 minutes, Greece strike at the end of the first half

There is a hint of regret after a performance that nonetheless must be a huge source of pride for San Marino’s U17 national team – currently involved in the qualifying group for the 2024 European Championship. Following the more than positive debut against Italy, in which not only Casadei – inevitably the headline act – but all sixteen players used by Bonesso delivered an outstanding display, the Young Biancazzurri repeated themselves today at the Stadio dei Pini in Cervia. Not only did they show a highly effective defensive phase – as underlined by the final scoreline against Greece – but also sharp counter-attacks that caused real problems for the Greek backline. In truth, the Titans fashioned several promising chances to break the deadlock in their favour while the score was still 0-0. First through Meloni, who was freed to shoot from the edge of the box after a fine passing move: the San Marino midfielder’s effort was smothered by Kakadiaris at the second attempt. Shortly afterwards it was Enea Della Balda who tried his luck, this time directly from a set piece: a crisp strike that went just about half a metre wide of the left-hand post of the Greek goalkeeper. On the quarter-hour mark the Young Biancazzurri also lodged mild protests with the Kazakh referee over a dubious challenge in the 15th minute, when the ever-dangerous Enea Della Balda – inside the penalty area – complained of a decisive push from an opponent. Chatzopoulos’ side tilted the contest their way in the 38th minute, when Dunga capitalised on the excellent work of Karargyris, who pulled the ball back for his strike partner to apply the clinical finish for 1-0. The Greeks doubled their lead again from close range, this time deep into first-half stoppage time. On this occasion it was Karargyris himself who found the net, making the most of Mokris’ knockdown. Far from merely looking to repel Greek forays, the Titans continued to show up regularly in the attacking third even after the restart. Deployed as the lone centre-forward in the second half, Enea Della Balda caused danger on more than one occasion. While Greece squandered a couple of clear chances to make it 3-0, San Marino’s display can be deemed both positive and enterprising, with very encouraging signs in every area of the pitch. Not least from the Faetanini-Mularoni combination which, in the closing stages, looked set to halve the deficit – but for another decisive intervention from Kakadiaris. These are certainly encouraging signals for Bonesso, who will hope to collect in the final group match, scheduled for next Tuesday, what his team – despite deserving it – did not obtain today. At the Valentino Mazzola Stadium in Santarcangelo the Young Biancazzurri will face their counterparts from Northern Ireland, with kick-off at 15:00.

Under-17 Euro 2024 Qualifiers, DAY 2 | Greece-San Marino 2-0 GREECE Kakadiaris; Sulanjaku, Mokris, Kosidis (from 46' Zouridakis), Vyrsokinos; Eleftheriadis (from 70' Ntani), Papanikopoulos (from 83' Sarris), Mythou (from 61' Darviras); Tsitsilas, Karargyris (from 46' Kostoulas), Dunga Substitutes: Beleris, Bataoulas, Fragkos, Theocharis Head coach: Angelos Chatzopoulos SAN MARINO Casadei; Marani (from 82' Montali), Bugli (from 70' Mularoni), Marinucci; Forcellini (from 82' Raschi), Pasolini (from 70' Contucci), Meloni, Bindi; Arlotti, Valentini (from 84' Faetanini); E. Della Balda Substitutes: F. Della Balda, Protti, Zavoli, Canarezza Head coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso Referee: Bulat Sariyev (KAZ) Assistants: Sergei Vassyutin (KAZ) and Mattia Scarpa (ITA) Fourth official: Juan Luca Sacchi (ITA) Scorers: 38' Dunga, 45'+3' Karargyris Booked: Kosidis, Bindi, Pasolini, E. Della Balda

Luca Pelliccioni

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