Republic of Ireland 3 (Vata 8, 45+2, Armstrong 65) San Marino 0
A brace of goals from Celtic hotshot Rocco Vata saw the Republic of Ireland under-21s maintain their perfect start to European qualifying against San Marino.
The Boys in Green struggled to find their rhythm for long spells but Vata’s first-half goals helped to settle any nerves before Sinclair Armstrong added a third.
Vata, whose dad Rudi also played for the Glasgow giants and captained Albania, was the standout player. He created plenty more chances for his teammates as he switched between either wing.
Jim Crawford rotated his squad by giving first competitive starts to five players in front of a crowd of 3,826 at Turner’s Cross that included senior boss Stephen Kenny.
Among the new faces were senior debutant Armstrong, wingers Vata and Tony Springett, and defenders James Abankwah and James Furlong. The suspended Seán Roughan and injured Johnny Kenny were enforced absentees.
The new wingers brought plenty of energy against a San Marino side that sat in a permanent deep-lying defensive wall.
It was no surprise given the away side’s consistent struggles to score a goal never mind win a match. They haven’t experienced victory at this level in 10 years and their last goal came all the way back in 2017.
The Irish defence was never troubled, with Vata’s Celtic teammate Bosun Lawal showing an impressive range of passing from centre-back, while hometown hero Matt Healy controlled the game from midfield.
Ireland probed early with Armstrong and Vata forcing Pietro Amici into a double save. When that pair raided forward again a minute later, there was no denying them.
From a Healy through ball, Armstrong turned his marker with ease and squared for Vata, who met it perfectly to find the roof of the net.
Andrew Moran had a cast-iron penalty shout waved away before goalkeeper Josh Keeley nearly got caught for a charge-down goal at the other end. It was almost an early Christmas present for Santi, the opposition striker.
Armstrong looked sure to score sooner rather than later. But time and again he was denied by the goalie, the offside flag, or some erratic finishing.
Twice he had headers on target called back by the lineswoman. When he was onside, he either got too much on his finish or too little – both times after being set up by Vata.
Ireland began to become frustrated by their own lack of killer touch and sloppy passing against the five-man San Marino backline.
But they found the breakthrough right on the stroke of half-time after Healy’s long-range effort was punched over by Amici for Ireland’s fourth corner.
With time all but up, Vata was on high alert, taking the corner quickly, exchanging a one-two with Healy, and bursting into the box. His shot crept inside Amici’s near post, with the goalie unable to produce a stop.
It no doubt lightened Crawford’s mood heading into the dressing room but Ireland continued to lack fluidity after the half-time pep talk.
San Marino were happy to break up the play and prevent Ireland from gaining any momentum. Moran had a shot blocked, Healy sent a free-kick over, and Armstrong had his jersey almost torn off his back as he blasted into the side-netting.
His kit was still hanging off him like a tail when he made his breakthrough. Giacomo Matteoni sliced Moran’s cross over his keeper and towards the net. Armstrong was alert to follow in and apply the final touch off his chest from a yard out.
He had to dislodge himself from the net before wheeling away in joyful celebration.
San Marino switched to a back-four as both sides began to make changes. Aidomo Emakhu, the match-winner against Turkey, looked hungry to add to his tally and almost did so when winning the ball back in the opposition box. His shot, however, was blocked.
With six points on the board, they travel to Latvia next month, where Italy were held to a shock scoreless draw on Friday.
Sinclair Armstrong reflects on a "dream" week that saw him make his senior debut and score on his competitive debut for Ireland U21s in their 3-0 win over San Marino
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 12, 2023
📱 Match report: https://t.co/IokHflr93K pic.twitter.com/kDfNPZKwyJ
Republic of Ireland: Josh Keeley; Sam Curtis, James Abankwah, Bosun Lawal, James Furlong; Matt Healy (Ed McJannet 78), Baba Adeeko (Killian Phillips 69); Rocco Vata (Zak Gilsenan 68), Andrew Moran, Tony Springett (Aidomo Emakhu 69); Sinclair Armstrong (Conor Carty 79).
San Marino: Pietro Amici; Simone Giocondi (Matteo Guidi 70), Alessandro Giambalvo (Nicola D'Addario 71), Mattia Sancisi, Giacomo Matteoni, Andrea Contadini; Alex Toccaceli, Samuele Zannoni (Andrea Dolcini 83), Nicko Sensoli (Nicolo Sancisi 59); Tommaso Famiglietti, Simone Santi (Marco Pasolini 83).
Referee: Antoine Paul Chiaramonti (AND).
