Women’s U19 National Team: the first 15 minutes of the second half prove decisive, Forcellini saves a penalty

The first 90 minutes of a San Marino women’s national team in European qualifying deliver very positive feelings for head coach Giacomo Piva, regardless of a final scoreline that flatters Romania, who were particularly good at capitalising on the first quarter of an hour after the restart, following an opening period that was almost entirely fought on equal terms. The final 20-plus minutes from Benedettini and her team-mates are also worth highlighting, especially considering Romania’s greater reserves of energy to draw upon. All of this adds further value to what was already a historic day in itself for women’s football in San Marino.

The emotion of the anthems is inevitably strong, but it does not distract Giacomo Piva’s players, who cover the pitch very well and do not allow themselves to be surprised by Romania’s moves. For at least the first half of the opening period, Romania are limited to trying their luck from distance only: Szoke has two attempts (the first saved by Forcellini, the second over), then Cioabla also has a go, going not far wide with her diagonal right-footed effort. The moment that breaks the deadlock is the product of the understanding between Olah and Szoke: the former spots the central run of the latter and plays her in; the number 10 then keeps her cool and gets there before the onrushing Forcellini, stroking the ball into the corner. A fine goal, one that complicates the Titane’s game plan but does not knock them off balance. Benedettini and her team-mates remain fully in the contest. This remains the case even when the referee awards a generous penalty for a tangle between Terenzi and Olah in the box. Forcellini flies to her right, exactly where Szoke aims her penalty, keeping the San Marino side afloat. The Sammarinese goalkeeper is in the spotlight again a few minutes later, this time on a long-range strike from Cioabla: the ball dips suddenly, but Forcellini quickly repositions herself and palms it behind for a corner. Romania control possession but find it increasingly hard to break through. At the back, San Marino’s back line holds firm without particular alarm, while in midfield the two wingers, Bonciucci and Terenzi, throw themselves wholeheartedly into the “battle” alongside their team-mates. Paone is a little isolated up front, but when she drops deeper she becomes an extra option in the build-up. That is what happens in the 35th minute: the centre-forward drops to the halfway line, turns and spots Terenzi’s rapid burst down the flank. The pass is inch-perfect; goalkeeper Moldovan’s rush out is reckless and badly timed. Only a yellow card for her. The Titane, however, win a very inviting free-kick right on the corner of the penalty area. Benedettini steps up, aiming for the post covered by the wall, but sends the ball over. Late in the half a second penalty is awarded to Romania. Once again it is Olah who wins it, driving at Benedettini, cutting inside onto her left and then going to ground after contact with the Sammarinese captain. This time Ouatu takes responsibility, opting for power over placement: she thunders the ball under the bar, giving Forcellini no chance. Half-time arrives with Romania two goals up: a scoreline that is undoubtedly very harsh on the Titane.

Perhaps aware of that, Romania come out flying after the interval. This time San Marino are caught out a little by their opponents’ renewed verve, conceding three goals in the first eight minutes. The first comes from a run by Ouatu who, once into the box, makes the wise choice to square to the unmarked Olah, who merely has to apply a simple finish to get on the scoresheet after having won the two earlier penalties. The second – which arrives after a fine diving save by Forcellini from a Ouatu free-kick – is a right-footed curler into the top corner by Szoke, well picked out in the box by Ouatu. For the next goal, the two Romanian players reverse roles: Szoke provides the assist for Ouatu, who drives into the area and steers her right-footed effort inside the same post as her team-mate’s finish, albeit lower down. Forcellini has to produce another outstanding save on a long-range strike from Cioabla that is heading for the top corner, then Ivan finds herself with a golden chance in front of goal but misfires from a highly promising position – to the great relief of the Titane. Shortly afterwards comes the sixth goal: Ivan cuts out Forcellini’s clearance and sends Olah through one-on-one with the keeper. The delicate chip chosen by the number 11 to finish the move is a real piece of skill, and makes her a brace-scorer, just like Szoke and Ouatu. This is unquestionably the toughest phase of the game for Giacomo Piva’s players. They grit their teeth, though (with another fine stop by Forcellini on Ivan along the way), and on 71 minutes they try to carve out a good chance, once again exploiting Terenzi’s pace. Benedettini looks for her team-mate with a long ball from her own half: Terenzi darts at lightning speed between Mihaescu and Bortea, but is just a fraction short of getting there before Moldovan and being able to go one-on-one – if not clean through on goal. Even so, that episode serves to jolt the side and unlock some extra energy, a hugely important factor after the massive effort put in over the first five-sixths of the match. The Titane stay high up the pitch, winning their first corner (which comes to nothing) and creating another potential opportunity through the ever-dangerous Terenzi, who bursts down the wing and then looks to pick out one of Yazici, Bonciucci or Paone in the middle: Moldovan reads it early and cuts out the cross. There are no further twists late on. Forcellini is called into action by Niculescu, then can only watch as Bogos’ well-struck left-footed effort rises just a fraction over the bar. In the meantime, there are also European debuts for Lonfernini and Zani, who come on for Tamagnini and Bonciucci respectively. The first three points go to Romania, but Piva’s players can be sure they have produced a performance of real substance against one of the strongest teams in the group, despite a defeat heavier than what the play over the 90 minutes would suggest. Now they have a couple of days’ rest before turning their focus to their second group fixture: Saturday’s clash with Ukraine (13:00).

Women’s Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers, Round 1, MD1 | Romania – San Marino 6-0

ROMANIA (4-3-3)

Moldovan; Mihaescu, Boboc (64’ Bortea), Apostol, Bogos; Dumitru, Cioabla (76’ Lionte), Szoke (64’ Fulop); Olah (64’ Radu), Ivan (76’ Nicolescu), Ouatu

Substitutes: Balog, Corsei, Banciu, Zamfir

Head coach: Constantin Olariu

SAN MARINO (4-3-3)

Forcellini; Stifani, Paolini, Carli, Benedettini; Yazici, Balsimelli, Tamagnini (78’ Lonfernini); Bonciucci (90+2’ Zani), Paone, Terenzi

Substitutes: Mastronardi

Head coach: Giacomo Piva

Referee: Katalin Sipos (HUN)

Assistant referees: Noemi Hegedus-Barath (HUN) and Vladana Barać (BIH)

Fourth official: Lea Čepo (BIH)

Booked: Moldovan, Stifani, Lionte, Terenzi

Scorers: 47’ and 61’ Olah, 44’ (p) and 53’ Ouatu, 24’ and 51’ Szoke

Note: on 31’ Forcellini saved a penalty from Szoke