Italy Under-17s, the reigning European champions, produced a superb display to beat Korea Republic 5-2 in Medulin on Matchday 2 of Group A at the Istria Youth Cup, which is being held in Croatia until 6 October.

Italy took the lead after Fiorentina forward Fortune Erhunmwun Egharevba won a penalty that Parma attacking midfielder Roberto Scaglione converted (19’). Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Oh Taejun equalised for Korea Republic before the break (41’), but the Azzurrini regained the lead through Borussia Mönchengladbach centre-forward Maximilian Donner shortly after the restart (47’). Roma midfielder Mattia Guaglianone then struck the crossbar (51’), before Juventus forward Pietro Salvai scored twice in quick succession (76’, 77’). Ulsan HD midfielder Baek Minkyul pulled one back for Korea Republic (79’), but Juventus centre-forward Giuseppe Pipitò completed the 5-2 victory late on (90’).

“It was a good test,” said the Italy Head Coach Manuel Pasqual. “We changed a few things from the previous match and the players were clearer in their thinking. Beyond the result, we need to learn to be more unselfish in front of goal. In tournaments like this and in the European qualifiers coming up in just over a month (11-17 November in Armenia, ed.), one goal can make the difference. The same applies defensively, where we need to learn to cut out certain mistakes. For long spells today, we played more as a team, and I saw the willingness I always ask for from the players to make that extra run for a teammate.”

The Azzurrini will return to action in Medulin against Ukraine, who were beaten 2-0 by Türkiye today, on Friday 2 October at 12:30 CEST. “These matches allow us to assess the players ahead of our upcoming competitive fixtures,” Pasqual added. “Everyone has featured across these opening two matches, some more than others, because our aim is always to broaden the group of players who can contribute.”

THE MATCH. Italy lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Vischi in goal; Mattei, Lucarelli, Ghiotto and Bacuzzi in defence; Guaglianone, Camara and Scaglione in midfield; and Furlan behind forwards Egharevba and Donner. Korea Republic responded with a 4-2-3-1: No Myungjong in goal; Baek Mingeon, Jang Eunseong, Hong Yujun and Yeo Minho in defence; Uhm Gyuhyun and Bae Hojin in central midfield; Baek Sejung, Oh Taejun and Lee Changjoon behind lone striker Choi Junhyeok.

The Azzurrini began on the front foot and created two early chances, but neither Donner’s header nor Camara’s left-footed strike from distance troubled No Myungjong (12’, 13’). The breakthrough came when Egharevba won a penalty and Scaglione sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with his right foot (19’). Buoyed by the goal, Pasqual’s players continued to push forward. Guaglianone sent a free-kick narrowly wide (24’), before Furlan saw his effort turned behind by the Korea Republic goalkeeper (35’). However, the equaliser arrived during Italy’s best spell. Oh Taejun beat Ghiotto on the edge of the area and found the bottom corner with his right-footed effort (41’). The sides therefore went into the interval level at 1-1 after one minute of added time.

Italy immediately raised the tempo after the restart. Elena sent the ball across goal and Donner arrived at the far post to restore the Azzurrini’s lead from close range (47’). Guaglianone then came close to making it 3-1, striking the bar with a left-footed effort from the edge of the area (51’). Korea Republic attempted to stay in the match, but Vischi was alert to deny Kim Minjun II’s right-footed shot (64’). Ten minutes later, Baek Minkyul found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That incident preceded a decisive Italy burst. Salvai, who had replaced Donner, cut inside from the right and scored with his left foot (76’). Just one minute later, the same player converted from close range after an assist from Elena on the left (77’). Korea Republic reduced the deficit when Baek Minkyul’s fine right-footed strike from around 20 yards out flew into the top corner (79’). However, Pipitò, who had replaced Egharevba eight minutes earlier, restored Italy’s three-goal advantage from another Salvai assist to seal the 5-2 victory (90’).

 

Istria Youth Cup

Group A: ITALY, Korea Republic, Ukraine, Türkiye
Group B: Croatia, Hungary, Norway, Austria

Matchday 1 (Saturday 26 September)
Korea Republic 0-5 Ukraine
ITALY 3-3 Türkiye

Matchday 2 (Tuesday 29 September)
Ukraine 0-2 Türkiye
ITALY 5-2 Korea Republic

Standings: ITALY 4 (+3), Türkiye 4 (+2), Ukraine 3, Korea Republic 0.

Semi-finals – Group B (Wednesday 30 September)
S1) 12:30 CEST: Croatia vs. Hungary, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin
S2) 15:30 CEST: Austria vs. Norway, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Matchday 3 (Friday 2 October)
12:30 CEST: Ukraine vs. ITALY, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin
15:30 CEST: Türkiye vs. Korea Republic, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Third-place play-off – Group B (Saturday 3 October)
F3) 12:30/15:30 CEST: Loser of S1 vs. loser of S2, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Final – Group B (Saturday 3 October)
F1) 12:30/15:30 CEST: Winner of S1 vs. winner of S2, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Seventh-place play-off (Tuesday 6 October)
10:00 CEST: Loser of F3 vs. fourth-placed team in Group A, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Fifth-place play-off (Tuesday 6 October)
11:15 CEST: Winner of F3 vs. third-placed team in Group A, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Third-place play-off (Tuesday 6 October)
12:45 CEST: Loser of F1 vs. second-placed team in Group A, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin

Final (Tuesday 6 October)
15:30 CEST: Winner of F1 vs. first-placed team in Group A, Park Plaza Belvedere, Medulin