Under-19: The Titani score twice but Slovakia have more

A brave defeat for the San Marino Under-19 national team in their opening match of Round 1 of the category’s UEFA European Championship qualifying. Di Maio’s Titani scored once in each half but it was Slovakia who ultimately claimed all three points.

The opening stages belonged entirely to the young Biancoazzurri, who after 5 minutes already had a golden chance to break the deadlock: Colombini’s long throw into the box found Canarezza, the winger was quick to swivel and shoot but Slovak goalkeeper Královič produced a stunning reflex save to keep the scores level. Fabuš’ side soon replied with a Vincent header that was well saved by a sharp Achille Conti. The deadlock at the “Ezio Conti” was broken in the 11th minute: Baláž swung in a cross from the left towards striker Novák, who could not get his head to it; on the far side Lábo managed to recycle the ball for Rajnoha, who made no mistake from close range. San Marino refused to sit back and tried again just two minutes later (13’) with a long-range effort from Arlotti, which was held by Královič. The match remained lively and in the 17th minute Slovakia came very close to doubling their lead: Novák struck the inside of the post, the ball came back into play and Lábo arrived promptly to shoot first time with Conti beaten, but he miscued and the Titani survived. After an opening rich in chances, the contest settled down until the 39th minute. Captain Meloni played an excellent ball in behind for Grandoni – San Marino’s attacking focal point – who nodded it on, Královič came out and clattered into him on the edge of the box. Both players stayed down for a few minutes but the referee had no doubts: it was a penalty. Arlotti stepped up, Královič guessed the right way and saved, but the San Marino number ten followed up to tuck in the rebound and make it 1-1. That was the scoreline at the break.

After the restart, Slovakia began the brighter, while the Titani also had to cope with Grandoni going off – struggling with a hand problem – to be replaced by Molinari. Ten minutes into the second half, Fabuš’ team retook the lead: a short corner routine to Mateáš, who – helped by a fortunate ricochet – managed to lay the ball off for the ever-dangerous Rajnoha, who finished clinically with his right foot. The momentum was firmly with Slovakia and less so with Di Maio’s boys, who were forced to use their second substitution window when Arlotti pulled up (off for Raschi on 62 minutes). Two minutes later the Slovaks widened the gap on the Titani: Rajnoha – the undisputed man of the match – escaped Meloni in midfield and, reaching the edge of the attacking third, slid a vertical pass through for Baláž, who beat Conti left-footed to make it 3-1. The flow of the game favoured Slovakia, who on 69 minutes almost found a fourth with an audacious attempt from the halfway line by Mateáš that very nearly caught Conti out – though the keeper was well positioned. As in the first half, chances became fewer – tiredness playing its part – but in the closing stages the Titani found the energy to get back into it. On 84 minutes Raschi combined well with Molinari, whose shot was saved by Královič, but the assistant’s flag cut short any celebrations for offside. After Conti’s reply (87’) to deny Kasana, came the Titani’s second goal, which reignited the finale. Federico Raschi brought the ball down superbly on the edge of the box and then fired straight at goal. The ball flew off the right foot of the young Sammarinese into the net, a beautiful – and precious – strike. In Dogana it was now 3-2. The goal lifted San Marino and the whole “Ezio Conti” stand, and just before the ninetieth minute there was another chance for the Titani, but Bucchi’s effort lacked accuracy. However, it was once again Rajnoha who had the final say, completing his hat-trick with the definitive 4-2 in the third of four added minutes: Fehér drove forward to the edge of the final third before slipping the ball to his team-mate, who, once inside the area, settled it with a left-footed finish into the far corner. Moments later, Macedonian referee Ilioski blew for full time. The next fixture for the Under-19 National Team is on Monday 11th at 11:00, again in Dogana, against Belarus (also on maximum points after being awarded a 3-0 win by default against Latvia, who failed to turn up this morning in Acquaviva for political reasons).

UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying, Round 1 – Group B3, Matchday 1 | Slovakia–San Marino 4-2

SLOVAKIA (4-3-3)

Královič; Richter, Fecso, Vincent, Skaličan; Mateáš (72’ Rajčan), Rajnoha (90+4’ Kodaj), Jenčuš; Lábo (77’ Koribský), Novák (72’ Fehér), Baláž (77’ Kasana)

Substitutes: Gramblička, Pittel, Beke, Husár

Coach: Martin Fabuš

SAN MARINO (4-4-1-1)

Conti; Colombini, Sammaritani, Montali, Terni; Arlotti (62’ Raschi), Pennacchini (77’ Cervellini), Meloni, Canarezza (77’ Bucchi); Tamagnini (77’ E. Zavoli); Grandoni (51’ Molinari)

Substitutes: Bucci, M. Zavoli, Valentini, Pala

Coach: Roberto Di Maio

Referee: Ilioski Vlatko (MKD)

Assistant referees: Vladimir Mitrevski (MKD), George Kontemeniotis (CYP)

Fourth official: Menelaos Antoniou (CYP)

Scorers: 11’, 55’ and 90+3’ Rajnoha, 42’ Arlotti, 64’ Baláž, 88’ Raschi

Booked: Jenčuš, Královič, Pennacchini, Sammaritani, Raschi, E. Zavoli, Rajčan

Note: on 42’ Arlotti missed a penalty