Rao in goal with Italy Under-17s and called up for UEFA Elite Round

New experience in Azzurro and new goal for Emanuele Rao, starring with Italy Under 17 in the Clairefontaine retreat concluded yesterday evening.

During the second friendly test played against France Under 17, the young 2006-born Spallino forward scored the Azzurrini's second goal that allowed the national team to shorten the gap in the final 4-3 win for the transalpines.

Rao was, in addition, called by Federal Coach Bernardo Corradi for the upcoming Italy Under-17 meeting scheduled at the C.P.O. "Giulio Onesti" from Feb. 28 to March 4, to select the group that will play in Cyprus in the UEFA Elite Round in the hunt for qualification to the next European Championships in the category.

The Azzurrini have been placed in Group 6 along with Cyprus, Ireland and Ukraine. Italy Under-17 will make their debut on Tuesday, March 7, against Ireland at the Geroskipou Municipal Stadium in Pathos and will also face Cyprus at the same venue on Friday, March 10. The last match of the group is against Ukraine, scheduled for Monday, March 13 at the Stelios Kyriakides in Pafiako.