PHOTO
GRADISCA D'ISONZO, ITALY - APRIL 27: Italian Team U15 poses Italy v England - U15 Nations Tournamnent on April 27, 2019 in Gradisca d'Isonzo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
After their 2-1 win against England in their opening match, the Under-15 National Team were pegged back late on against the Czech Republic (1-1) and thus missed out on winning their group with a match to spare. The Azzurrini now sit on four points along with the Czechs, with everything set to be decided tomorrow at 18:00 CEST, when Italy will face Qatar in Monfalcone and the Czech Republic will play England.
The Azzurrini played really well in the first half in Cormons: they hit the post through Gabriele Alesi and took the lead on the half-hour mark thanks to a goal from Juventus forward Nicolò Turco. After the break, the Czech Republic responded and drew level a minute into added time through Grygar.
"Overall, the 1-1 scoreline is the right result," said Head Coach Patrizia Panico, "even if it's frustrating to concede in the last minute. We started off really well and should have killed the game off earlier. This should serve as a lesson to us."
Fixtures, results and Group A standings
First matchday (27 April)
ITALY 2-1 England
Czech Republic 4-0 Qatar
Second matchday (29 April)
ITALY 1-1 Czech Republic
England 6-0 Qatar
Standings: ITALY and Czech Republic 4 points, England 3, Qatar 0
Third matchday (30 April)
ITALY-Qatar (18:00 CEST – Monfalcone)
England-Czech Republic (18:00 – Carlino)