RIGA -- San Marino picked up their first
World Cup point for eight years on Wednesday when Nicola Albani
scored to give them a 1-1 draw with Latvia in a European group
six qualifier.
The home side must have thought they were in for an easy win
as skipper Marians Pahars, the Southampton striker, scored to
put them ahead in the first minute of the match after being put
through by Andrejs Rubins.
But although Latvia dominated the first half with the San
Marino team failing to mount a single shot on goal, they were
unable to add to their score.
Instead Nicola Albani eqalised after 59 minutes with a
close-range header and despite all of Latvia's many attempts to
regain the lead, San Marino goalie Federico Gasperoni had an
inspired match and blocked their progress.
The last time San Marino gained a World Cup point was on
March 10, 1993 when they drew 0-0 with Turkey in the qualifiers
leading up to the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Wednesday's result had little impact in the group with San
Marino staying bottom, now with one point from their five
matches, and Latvia remaining one place above them with four
points from five matches.
Scotland top the standings with 11 points from five,
followed by Belgium (8 from 4) and Croatia (5 from 3).
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