A goal in each half saw Malta beat Gibraltar 2-0 in a friendly match ahead of the two away matches in the UEFA Nations League Andorra and Latvia.
Malta were good value for the win with coach Devis Mangia going for a much-changed line-up.
Mangia used this match to try out new players with four making their senior debut – goalkeeper Jake Galea, of Sliema Wanderers, Balzan defender Samir Arab, 19-year-old Valletta midfielder Shaun Dimech (Valletta) and Joe Muscatt. of German outfit SC Paderborn.
Kyrian Nwoko put Malta in front after just eight minutes but then pulled up late in the first half with a suspected hamstring injury.
Gibraltar came out strongly in the second half but the few chances they created were blunted by a solid performance from keeper Jake Galea.
The win was wrapped up when substitute Triston Caruana made it 2-0 with a fine header from close range.
MALTA
J. Galea, R. Camenzuli (P. Mbong 60), A. Agius (S. Borg 46), K. Shaw, S. Arab (T. Caruana 46), M.Guillaumier, J. Muscatt (C. Attard 87), R. Muscat, S. Dimech (M. Beerman 60), J. Grech, K. Nwoko (L. Montebello 38)
GIBRALTAR
K. Goldwin, A. Mouelhi, J. Olivero, E. Barnett (L. Annesley 46), A. Pons (L. Casciaro 63), E. Jolley (M. Badr 49), J. Sargeant, S. Wiseman, J. Coombes (G. Torrilla 46), K. Ronan (L. Walker 46), R. Styche (T. De Barr 50).
YELLOW CARDS
S.Borg, J.Muscatt, L.Montebello (M), M.Badr, J.Sergeant, S.Wiseman (G)
Referee: N. Popov (Bulgaria)
Photo: Domenic Aquilina: Camenzuli in action
