Under-21: excellent first half from the Titani, Kosovo break away at the start of the second half (0-3)

The San Marino Under-21 National Team resumed their European Championship qualifying campaign. In this evening’s match at the Stadium the Titani produced an excellent first half, but a decisive surge from Kosovo at the start of the second period delivered all three points to the Balkan side. Cecchetti handed a first senior start to Giacomo Grandoni, deployed up front alongside Nicko Sensoli, while in midfield there was a recall for Matteo Valli Casadei. Between the posts it was Amici, replacing the injured Jacopo Casadei. The first warning came from Kosovo on 10 minutes: a fine cross from Jashari found captain Ademi, whose header was well directed but finished just wide of Amici’s left-hand post. A few minutes later Hasani fired in a dangerous left-footed effort that shaved the upright. Kryeziu’s side pushed on and their best chance came in the 18th minute when Berisha was sent through on goal: the Kosovan number nine found himself one-on-one with Amici, but the San Marino goalkeeper kept his cool and produced a brilliant save.

San Marino were well organised and broke forward whenever possible. As they did in the 25th minute with a perfect move from the Titani: Sensoli worked the ball on the edge of the final third and laid it off to Valli Casadei, who then played a penetrating pass for Chiaruzzi. The San Marino midfielder had the chance to put his side ahead, but Seji came to his team’s rescue. Kosovo replied shortly afterwards with a good solo run by Isufi, whose effort was blocked by the defence. However, from the resulting corner Kryeziu’s team managed to break the deadlock: in the 27th minute Riggioni failed to clear the ball from the set piece and in the ensuing scramble captain Ademi reacted quickest to make it 1-0. San Marino did not give up and quickly regrouped. On 39 minutes it was again Chiaruzzi making the Titani dangerous in the final third, trying his luck with a left-footed strike from distance after a good lay-off from Grandoni, the ball drifting just wide of Seji’s right-hand post. The Biancazzurri continued to press well, as shown by another excellent attacking move on 43 minutes: Bugli exchanged passes smartly with Sensoli before shooting, but his effort failed to hit the target.

The last action of the half came in stoppage time, when a teasing free-kick from Hasani was well held by Amici. The sides went into the break with Kosovo holding a narrow lead, but the Titani were very much in the game.

At the start of the second half Cecchetti made his first change, introducing Protti for Grandoni in attack. Kosovo came out strongly after the restart, clearly intent on doubling their advantage. After several opportunities, the clearest came in the 56th minute with a powerful strike from centre-forward Berisha, but Amici again said no with another outstanding save on the night. Just before the hour mark, however, the Balkan side did find their second: a superb move showcasing Kosovo’s technical quality ended with Isufi feeding Ademi, who completed his brace. The Titani felt the impact, and a few minutes later Kosovo added a third from a swift attack down the right by Ademi who, after his two goals, turned provider with an assist for team-mate Xhylani – on the pitch for barely a minute. Cecchetti tried to react with a triple substitution to inject energy and freshness into his side. Kosovo focused on ball possession and, with occasional bursts, looked to extend their lead, but in the latter stages of the game the Titani were more organised and compact. In the closing minutes Kosovo again went close to a fourth, but without success. The Balkan side thus ran out 3-0 winners at the Stadium. The work is not over for the boys, as in a week’s time – on 1 October, again at the Stadium – they will host Spain.

Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers | San Marino – Kosovo 0-3

SAN MARINO [5-3-2]

Amici; Bugli (67’ Guerra), Riggioni, Ciacci (67’ Zavoli), Marinucci, Semprini; Chiaruzzi (67’ M. Casadei), Valli Casadei, Della Balda (75’ Canarezza); Sensoli, Grandoni (46’ Protti)

Substitutes: Conti, Bucchi, Montali, Terni

Head coach: Matteo Cecchetti

KOSOVO [4-4-2]

Seji; Sadriu, Shala, Lleshi, Parduzi; I. Jashari (61’ Xhylani), Fazlija (46’ Zeqiri), Ademi, Isufi (61’ L. Jashari); Hasani (70’ Gashijan), Berisha (78’ Gashi).

Substitutes: Gjokaj, Sahitaj, Dardan, Veliqi

Head coach: Hekuran Kryeziu

Referee: David Fuxman (ISR)

Assistant referees: Matityahu Yakobov (ISR), Guy Klipper (ISR)

Fourth official: Dekel Zino (ISR)

Scorers: 28’ and 59’ Ademi, 62’ Xhylani

Booked: Fazlija, Bugli, Sensoli

Notes: 233 spectators