#U19EURO Sweden 2-1 San Marino
International
14 November 2018

#U19EURO Sweden 2-1 San Marino

Two second half goals for Sweden U19s ensured the three points for the Scandinavians in their opening 2019 UEFA U19 Championship Qualifying Round match at Bangor.

Sweden 2-1 San Marino

VSM Stadium, Bangor

  • Sweden scorers: B Kimpioka 54', OG 60' 
  • San Marino scorers: D Moretti 67'

On a blustery afternoon at Nantporth - Sweden and San Marino opened their European under 19 qualifiers under the early evening lights. Sweden started brightly with forward Benjamin Kimpioka constantly threatening a dogged San Marino back line. As the half progressed, a determined and well organised San Marino defence repeatedly frustrated the Swedish front line, causing them to give away needless fouls in the middle of the park.

As Sweden pushed forward, a couple of breakaways almost let San Marino through- had it not been for ‘Keeper Samuel Brolin being quick off his line and reading the play well. It took the Scandinavian side 8 minutes to break the deadlock after the restart - with the afore-mentioned Kimpioka slotting home at the edge of the six-yard box, following a deadly ball from the left flank. Sweden then doubled their lead only 7 minutes later, when defender Aiham Ousou made the most of some confusion in the box and powered the ball through a sea of bodies.

A mistake at the back for Sweden allowed San Marino to claw one back in style, as Diego Moretti chipped the outward rushing Brolin to score from 35 yards. The goal seemed to spark San Marino into life, as they started to pile pressure on the game leaders- resulting in numerous chances as they looked for an equaliser. As the clock ran down, Sweden tried to assert their dominance on the game, controlling the ball, and maintaining possession with some first class off the ball movement - however, they were continually denied by the south Europeans effective and meticulously organised defence.

Matches 1 table.PNG