Under-17: Yazici levels at 1-1 in defeat to Turkey

It falls to Turkey and San Marino to open Group 13 of qualifying for next year’s U17 European Championship. The match is played in Bulgaria, where the hosts’ peers had earlier faced Switzerland in the afternoon, losing 2-0. Zayim sends out his Turkey side in an attack-minded 4-3-3, while Cancelli lines San Marino up in two banks of four, entrusting the attacking play to Giacopetti and Capicchioni. Turkey start at full throttle, with Sargin shooting – deflected by Cervellini – as early as the 3rd minute. From the resulting corner the midfielder tries again, but without accuracy. The Titani often look for Giacopetti’s runs in behind; he is valuable in shielding the ball, allowing San Marino to push up and catch their breath. The first chance for the Sammarinese comes on 11 minutes, from a move built out from the back and laid off by Capicchioni for Cervellini. His through ball sends Yazici clear one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who manages to turn it behind for a corner. The Sammarinese winger is no more fortunate from the ensuing set piece, shooting wide. San Marino work well in the defensive third, forcing Turkey to build mainly down the flanks. Around the quarter-hour mark a header from Arkutcu causes no problems for Jacopo Casadei, who then does well to claim an inswinging cross high and cleanly. It instead takes the perfect timing of Tommaso Benvenuti to snuff out a dangerous move right in the box, again orchestrated by the ever-lively Arkutcu on 19 minutes. Shortly afterwards comes Turkey’s opener through Karahisar, who attacks Ozcan’s cross and powers his header into the net. The Sammarinese lodge strong protests for the cross, which may have come in after the ball had already crossed the by-line. The Portuguese referee sees it differently and allows the goal to stand. The Biancazzurri push forward on 26 minutes through the very young Bindi (class of 2007), whose cross forces the Turkish defence to clear for a corner. From that corner, another ball into the box sparks a Turkish counter, but Giacomo Benvenuti’s last-ditch tackle proves decisive. The Titani are very much in the game and, on the half-hour, Capicchioni goes for an acrobatic effort without troubling the goalkeeper. The following combination between Riccardi and Capicchioni releases Cervellini beyond the Turkish back line, which retreats compactly to avert the danger. A minute later it is Giacopetti who has a go, but his effort from a promising position crashes into the covering defender. Turkey reply with a point-blank header from Ozcan, who has to bow to a monumental save from Jacopo Casadei, decisive again moments later to thwart Kizildemir. Where the Sammarinese goalkeeper cannot reach, the Laws of the Game come to his aid: on 41 minutes Turkey see a second goal ruled out, with Karahisar clearly offside as he turns in Casadei’s save from Sargin. San Marino then carve out the chance to get back on level terms on the scoresheet as well. It is the 43rd minute when Capicchioni flicks on with his head for Yazici, who times his run perfectly to get between ball and defender. Having gained the position, he keeps his composure and coolness superbly to beat Çevikkan into the far corner. Unbridled joy breaks out among players and bench alike – a fine goal at the end of a well-constructed, well-refined and well-finished move. Unfortunately, that emotion does not carry into the dressing room: right at the end of the half Mete conjures up a wonder strike for 2-1, finding the top corner from considerable distance. San Marino try to pick up where they left off at the very start of the second half, with Riccardi’s shot-cross just a touch too long. Turkey then struggle to make inroads down Yazici’s flank – with the winger also diligent in tracking back – and only just miss a third in a goalmouth scramble with Sargin. Shortly after the hour Arkutcu lets fly from distance, sending his effort over the bar. On the halfway mark of the second period, San Marino create the chance for 2-2 through a surging run by Riccardi, who pulls back for Capicchioni – close to equalising with an acrobatic attempt. At the other end comes a pressure-relieving penalty for Turkey, as Marco Casadei fouls Sargin in the area. From the spot steps up Karahisar, who however has to reckon with Jacopo Casadei – outstanding as he saves the penalty. Only in the closing stages do the Turks finally manage to put the three points on ice, striking on the break through Canpolat on 79 minutes. Before that, Riccardi had tried his luck from distance. Onur Zayim’s men further pad their goal tally two minutes later, through Efe Akman – at the end of a prolonged move on the edge of the box – and once again Canpolat, again on the counter. Before the tide turned, there had been a nice one-two between Protti and Semperlotti, leading to a teasing cross for Della Balda. The final 5-1 scoreline is harsh on the young Biancazzurri, who delivered a positive and proactive display against highly-rated opponents. In three days’ time comes the test against Switzerland – the top seeds in the group.  

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EURO U-17 2022-23, Group 13 | Matchday 1, Turkey-San Marino 5-1   TURKEY Çevikkan; Özkul (from 73' Yilmaz), Çetin (from 46' Mertcan Ayhan), Mete, Özcan (from 65' Subaşi); Sargın, Efe Akman, Ingenç; Kizildemir (from 46' Canpolat), Karahisar, Arkutcu Substitutes: Yaşar, Yıldız, Gürpüz, Gökay, Dilek Coach: Onur Zayim   SAN MARINO J. Casadei; Domeniconi, G. Benvenuti, T. Benvenuti, Riccardi; Bindi (from 83' Semperlotti), M. Casadei, Cervellini, Yazici (from 70' Menicucci); Capicchioni (from 70' Della Balda), Giacopetti (from 58' Protti) Substitutes: Grana, Marinucci, Fortunati, Molari, Pasolini Coach: Nicola Cancelli   Referee: Gustavo Fernandes Correia (POR) Assistant referees: Francisco Joao Serra Jorge Pereira (POR) and Georgi Minev (BUL) Fourth official: Stanimir Trenchev (BUL) Scorers: 22' Karahisar, 43' Yazici, 45' Mete, 79', 90'+1' Canpolat, 81' Ingenç Booked: Çetin, Yazici, G. Benvenuti, Cervellini, Della Balda

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