The new era started well for the Malta Under-21 team, kicking off their UEFA Under-21 Qualification commitments in style with an emphatic 4-1 win over Northern Ireland. The youngster’s player their hearts out and fully deserved the win, playing a great tactical game. It was Malta’s second-best win in history, 1998’s 5-1 win over Macedonia still stands out as Malta’s best ever result in an official Qualification match at this level.
Malta are drawn in a tough Group C, with the other participants being Spain, Russia, Slovakia and Lithuania. For this match, coach Gilbert Agius handed advanced midfielder Jake Engerer of Sliema Wanderers and striker Mattia Veselji of Floriana their debuts, with Marcus Grima of Balzan being the most experienced of the team in his 8th appearance for the Under-21s.
The hosts played an intelligent first half, leaving the initiative with the Northern Irish, punishing their mistakes and taking their chances well. The 3-0 half time score was surprising but fully deserved for the hard-working Maltese. In the 24th minute, captain Ayrton Attard crossed a high ball to Aleandro Garzia, who saw Engerer unmarked at the second post, having the easiest of tasks to tap the ball in.
After the opener, Malta saw more of the ball, growing in confidence. On 36 minutes, the hosts added a second. Bradley Sciberras crossed inch perfect into the box where Veselji beat Liam Hughes with a low grounder. Four minutes later, Veselji was tripped in the box by Sam McClelland, with the referee in charge pointing immediately at the spot. Veselji made no mistake by coolly converting the penalty.
At the start of the second half, Malta were unlucky not to add a fourth immediately, with an Engerer effort hitting the post from a corner action. Close to the hour, Northern Ireland pulled one back thanks to substitute Patrick Lane, who’s rising shot from the edge of the box had the better of Cain Formosa, the Malta custodian. Formosa was busier in the second half and on 70 minutes, he had to stretch into the low corner after a thunderbolt of captain Ethan Galbraith. Eight minutes later, Veselji was sent through by Engerer but Hughes somehow managed to block the effort of the strong centre-forward.
In the 84th minute, Malta but the outcome of the match beyond doubt with a brilliant strike from captain Ayrton Attard, after some excellent work from Magri Overend on the left flank. On 88 minutes, Formosa was called again in action, blocking a shot by Irish substitute Harry Anderson. There was no further action in the eight minutes added time, which mend Malta started their campaign in the best possible way.
The team is now travelling to Khimki, northwest of Moscow, to play Russia on Tuesday.
Malta: Cain Formosa, Adam Magri Overend, Christian Gauci (Karl Mohnani 94), Matthew Ellul (Owen Spiteri 72), Carlo Zammit-Lonardelli, Marcus Grima, Bradley Sciberras (Jamie Sixsmith 85), Aleandro Garzia, Jake Engerer (Jamie Carbone 85), Ayrton Attard (Jean-Paul Attard 85), Mattia Veselji.
Coach: Gilbert Agius
Northern Ireland: Liam Hughes, Trai Hume, Jack Scott (Harry Anderson 85), Aaron Donnelly, Kofi Balmer, Sam McClelland (Kyle McCelland 46), Ethan Galbraith, Caolan Boyd-Munce (Oisin Smyth 46), Barry Crowe (Patrick Lane 46), Carl Johnston (Chris Conn 85), Ryan Waide.
Coach: John Schofield
Referee: Milovan Milacic (Montenegro)
Yellow cards: Formosa (M), Balmer, Galbraith (NI).
