Women’s Under-19 national team: Terenzi on target again in 1-1 draw in second match

The San Marino Women’s Under-19 National Team closes out the first double international fixture in its history unbeaten. Following Friday afternoon’s 2-0 victory over their Cypriot peers, this morning – again in Dogana – came a 1-1 draw. Piva rang the changes in his starting line-up, handing starts to Balsimelli, Andreini and Francini. His opposite number Savvas Sofokleous revolutionised the Cypriot setup, retaining only five players from two days earlier.

Cyprus started with purpose and intensity, especially down the flanks. However, the Sammarinese backline did not panic, working well both with the full-backs and the centre-backs in cover. San Marino created the first scare with Paone’s cannon of a free-kick on 10 minutes, which flew just centimetres over the bar. On 15 minutes Eleftheriou – the standout performer for the visitors – threaded a perfect through ball for Xenophontos, who was denied by Forcellini rushing out bravely at her feet. Strike partner Michail recorded the first shot on target on 28 minutes, but the Sammarinese keeper was alert at her near post. From the resulting corner, Xenophontos failed to hit the target with a free header in the middle of the box. The Biancazzurrine’s response changed the scoreboard: Penserini found Terenzi, who got there first and lifted the ball over Victoria Vlachou with her first touch. The centre-back chased her all the way into the area, where she dived in with a tackle that Colonna deemed a foul. Penalty to San Marino, which Terenzi calmly converted to break the deadlock on 38 minutes. Cyprus reacted and drew level before the interval: it all stemmed from an excellent counter-movement from a throw-in by Michail, who drove along the edge of the area before involving Xenophontos. From the latter’s piece of skill in the middle of the box came the pass for Eleftheriou, who finished clinically with her left into the far corner for 1-1, the score at half-time.

The second half was rather nervous, with Colonna forced to brandish further disciplinary sanctions to Paone, Matsoukari and Fotiou – having already shown a yellow card in the first half for a pull by Louca. On 57 minutes Forcellini was tested directly from the corner flag by Georgiou and then gathered safely at the second attempt. Ten minutes later Terenzi took a free-kick from a tight angle, which Hadjichristodoulou held at the second attempt. The Cypriot keeper had a major scare on 71 minutes when her Sammarinese counterpart – Arianna Forcellini – almost scored from a free-kick taken from the halfway line. In the closing stages Cyprus looked the fresher side: Forcellini came out rashly but effectively to parry Holmes Gracies’ right-footed effort from the edge of the box, before brilliantly thwarting Mylona’s follow-up on her pivot foot. The winning chance for Cyprus fell to Valianti’s head on 90 minutes – but the winger failed to hit the target. There was also time for a couple of interventions from Mastronardi, who came on in the 87th minute, before the final whistle – which arrived only after a huge opportunity for Victoria Vlachou, who blazed over the bar the best chance of the second half, created in the 90+5th minute.

International friendlies | San Marino-Cyprus 1-1

SAN MARINO (4-3-3)

Forcellini (87’ Mastronardi); Stifani (52’ Bonciucci), Carli, Paolini (81’ Moroni), Andreini (87’ Zammarchi); Balsimelli (52’ Yazici), Tamagnini, Paone; Penserini (87’ Della Valle), Terenzi (81’ Ragazzini), Francini (46’ Castello)

Substitutes: Lonfernini

Head coach: Giacomo Piva

CYPRUS (4-3-3)

Konstantinidi (46’ Hadjichristodoulou); Louca, V. Vlachou, L. Vlachou (73’ Holmes Gracie); Eleftheriou, Georgiou, Makridi (46’ Mylona); Michail, Matsoukari, Xenophontos (73’ Valianti)

Substitutes: Chrysanthou, Christodoulou, , Polyvlou, Tsiola, Constantinou

Head coach: Savvas Sofokleous

Referee: Matteo Colonna

Assistant referees: Simone Savorani, Marco Savorani

Scorers: 38’ (p) Terenzi, 43’ Eleftheriou

Booked: Louca, Matsoukari, Paone, Fotiou