Under-21s, Malta score after cooling break: 0-1 final score in Dogana

The first of two consecutive friendlies between the San Marino and Malta Under-21 national teams was played in Dogana. After a very tactical opening 15 minutes, it was the visitors who first threatened, with three chances in quick succession: Borasco was outstanding in tipping Pitts’ free-kick from the angle behind for a corner, then producing a string of saves from the ensuing set-pieces. First Pitts, then Grech tested the reactions of the San Marino goalkeeper, who kept his goal intact. The young Titans looked to respond mainly down the left through Marco Gasperoni and Bugli, or by using Capicchioni as a reference point – involved in a physical battle with the two aggressive Maltese centre-backs. Before the mid-half cooling break ordered by referee Andruccioli due to the intense heat in Dogana, there was a warning sign from a Brooklyn Borg cross from the right, which bounced off the post before going out. Borasco was tracking its trajectory without concern. San Marino’s first real attempt came on 27 minutes, when Zavoli appeared at the far post to head a corner just off target. Malta pushed again around the half-hour mark, but Zafferani stood firm in the middle of the area. The best chances arrived late in the half: Bridgman ghosted in behind Riggioni but steered his delicate finish too far wide of the far post in front of Borasco, who was again decisive in stoppage time in turning away Pitts’ low diagonal effort, after he had been played through by a pass straight down the middle. In between, Marco Gasperoni earned a free-kick from 20 metres out following a fine vertical pass from his twin brother Simone. The set-piece was entrusted to Capicchioni, who bent it round the wall but was denied by the crossbar. The sides went into the break with the score still goalless.

San Marino made the better start to the second half, as Capicchioni – timing his run perfectly to stay onside – drilled in a diagonal effort that forced Sacco into a save. Shortly afterwards, Cervellini won an excellent ball high up the pitch and slipped Marco Gasperoni through on goal down the middle, but the captain was crowded out at the crucial moment. A communication mix-up in the 54th minute sent a shiver down the young Titans’ spines and, right after the mid-half cooling break in the second period, their fears became reality. As play resumed, Malta sent in a set-piece to the far post where Scicluna – only on the pitch for a matter of seconds – powered in a close-range header. The final phase of the match was played in bursts, with San Marino trying to respond through substitutes Protti and Guerra, though Sacco was not called on to make any major saves. The same went for Borasco, who was able to shepherd Barbara and Xerri’s efforts behind. In the final siege, the young Titans could not find the decisive touch from a pair of consecutive corners, with Zafferani always inches away from turning the ball home. The first friendly thus went narrowly in Malta’s favour; the rematch is scheduled for Saturday in Acquaviva – again with a 18:00 kick-off and live coverage on Titani.tv.

Under 21, International Friendlies | San Marino-Malta 0-1

SAN MARINO (5-3-2)

Borasco; S. Gasperoni (61’ Mularoni), Riggioni, Zafferani, Zavoli (61’ Della Balda), Bugli (82’ F. Ciacci); M. Casadei, Cervellini (61’ Guerra), Chiaruzzi (75’ Tamagnini); M. Gasperoni (82’ Molinari), Capicchioni (75’ Protti)

Substitutes: J. Casadei, Domeniconi, Riccardi, Renzi, M. Ciacci

Coach: Matteo Cecchetti

MALTA (4-2-3-1)

Sacco; Cross (71’ Xerri), Micallef (71’ Scicluna), Ellul, Hili (57’ Barbara); Grech (87’ De Flavia), A. Borg (87’ Letherby); Bridgman (71’ Amin), B. Borg (57’ Gunner), Pitts; Agius (71’ Chukunyere)

Substitutes: Camilleri, Ging, Viviani, Sargent

Coach: Davide Mazzotta

Referee: Mattia Andruccioli

Assistant referees: Laura Cordani and Alfonso Gallo

Fourth official: Tommaso Balzano

Scorer: 72’ Scicluna

Booked: Zavoli, Della Balda, Gunner