Under-19: Belarus show no mercy, Titans improve after the break

Belarus need only the first half to get the better of the San Marino Under-19 National Team in their second match of Round 1 of the UEFA European Championship Qualifiers. Di Maio’s side are overrun in the opening half-hour by opponents who find the net six times, effectively putting the game to bed before the interval. The Titans fare better after the restart, creating more in the final third. Compared to the match with Slovakia, the Titans do not show the same approach and pay for a hesitant start, going behind after just two minutes: Drachou wins the ball and, from the edge of the box, lifts a delicate pass to team-mate Priemko, who finishes acrobatically for 1-0. Belarus keep pushing and double their lead in the 9th minute: a short free-kick from captain Zhyvushka to Drachou, who cuts inside from the right and, once at the edge of the area, curls a left-footer into the far corner. Sosnovski’s side keep their foot down and are clinical: on 13 minutes Conti’s clearance is short, and Drachou pounces from distance with a left-footed strike that proves lethal for the San Marino goalkeeper. The Belarusian whirlwind continues to sweep across the “Ezio Conti” in Dogana, with the Titans unable to contain their opponents. On 19 minutes the fourth goal arrives when Sheremet releases Zhyvushka, who gets the better of Colombini and then delivers a perfect cross for the head of Lutskovich, who powers in the 4-0. The Titans are on the ropes and struggling to react. Belarus are relentless and on 23 minutes strike for the fifth time: captain Zhyvushka bursts past Sammaritani and, once in the box, drives the ball across goal to the far post, where Priemko taps in his second. San Marino try to emerge from the nightmare with a good move in the 26th minute that ends with a shot from Pennacchini. The Biancazzurri effort finishes well off target, but at least offers a spark for the Titans. Belarus, however, keep on coming. On 27 minutes Lutskovich goes within centimetres of the sixth goal, which in any case is not long in coming. On 32 minutes Drachov’s free-kick is perfectly delivered onto the head of captain Zhyvushka, who adds his name to the scoresheet. A first half to forget for the Titans closes with yet another Belarus chance, but Conti is alert to Viarenich’s header.

With such a commanding lead, Belarus coach Sosnovski makes four changes at half-time. Less than a minute into the second half, the ever-dangerous Drachov causes havoc in the San Marino backline, but Tamagnini is decisive in diverting his effort behind for a corner. The Titans respond and begin to grow into the game as the minutes tick by. On 48 minutes Pennacchini’s well-struck free-kick is held by Aleksandrovich, then comes the double effort on 53 minutes – first from Molinari, then from Tamagnini – both attempts blocked by the Belarus defensive wall. It is a positive spell for San Marino who, on 58 minutes, construct another good move: captain Meloni brings down a ball at the edge of the area, then tries a quick exchange in tight spaces with Grandoni, who looks to return the favour, but the defence reads it and clears. On 66 minutes the Titans even manage to find the net, but the goal does not stand: Meloni plays vertically for Grandoni, who beats Aleksandrovich, but the San Marino forward had strayed into a (marginal) offside position just before shooting. In the 68th minute the young Biancazzurri carve out another clear chance, this time with Molinari slipping a delightful ball through for Alberto Valentini (on the pitch only a few minutes), but Belarus goalkeeper Aleksandrovich is out quickly to smother. Di Maio starts to ring the changes and also sends on Federico Raschi – fresh from his fine goal against Slovakia last Thursday – and the young striker battles, managing on a couple of occasions to threaten Aleksandrovich’s goal. The match drifts quickly towards the ninetieth minute, when Welsh referee Owen – after two minutes of added time – blows for full-time. Belarus thus defeat the young Titans 6-0. The other Group B3 fixture between Slovakia and Latvia, also played at 11:00 in Acquaviva, is a much tighter affair: both goals come in the first half, with Beķeris cancelling out Fehér for a 1-1 final score. San Marino’s next match is scheduled for Thursday 21 against Latvia (11:00 in Dogana).

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifiers, Round 1 – Group B3, Matchday 2 | Belarus–San Marino 6-0

BELARUS (4-3-3)

Aleksandrovich; Snapkou, Paluyanau, Roika, Sheremet; Drachou (46’ Mi. Tsitou), Fezhanka, Zhyvushka (46’ Zabiotski); Lutskovich (46’ Dehtiarenko), Priemko (46’ Zhyhimont), Viarenich (46’ Kalesnikovich)

Substitutes: Klachkovich, Sakuta, Molchan, Ma. Tsitou

Coach: Sergei Sosnovski

SAN MARINO (4-4-1-1)

Conti; Colombini (25’ E. Zavoli), Sammaritani (69’ Pala), Montali, Terni; Canarezza (60’ Valentini), Pennacchini, Meloni, Molinari; Tamagnini (60’ Bucchi); Grandoni (69’ Raschi)

Substitutes: Bucci, M. Zavoli, Cervellini

Coach: Roberto Di Maio

Referee: Tom Owen (WAL)

Assistant referees: Jordan Lee Christopher (WAL), Vladimir Mitrevski (MKD),

Fourth official: Vlatko Ilioski (MKD)

Scorers: 3’ and 23’ Priemko, 9’ and 13’ Drachou, 19’ Lutskovich, 32’ Zhyvushka

Booked: Tamagnini, Dehtiarenko