M. Debono; Z. Leonardi, O. Spiteri, J. Vella, M. Veselji (57 J. Valletta), J. Engerer (57 N. Agius), A. Zammit (80 D. Mifsud), A. Garzia, N. Micallef (65 K. Briffa), K. Bondin (65 M. Ellul), M. Debattista (80 G. Sciberras).
SLOVAKIA
S. Belanik; N. Sikulam S. Kosa, T. Jambor, A. Gazi (85 B. Csoka), M. Ujlaky, M. Szolgai, A. Lacza (71 A. Macejko), S. Kopasek, D. Snajder, D. Holly.
Referee Alex Johnson.
Two late first-half goals earned Slovakia a come-from-behind win over Francesco Macri’s Malta U-21 selection at the Centenary Stadium.
Slovakia, who were fielding their U-20 team under the guidance of Albert Rusnak, scored twice through Alex Lacza and Adam Gazi to secure a victory in this first double-header against the Maltese youngsters.
The second match between the two countries will be played on Monday, at 12pm.
These friendlies are serving the Malta U-21 team as preparation for their tough European qualifiers that will start in September.
The Maltese side were drawn in Group B together with Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Hungary and Kazakhstan.
Owen Spiteri handed Malta a bright start when he put his country ahead inside the first couple of minutes of play.
Valletta’s Andrea Zammit took charge of a corner kick with the Floriana player heading past Samuel Belanik, Slovakia’s goalkeeper.
The goal came as a cold shower for Slovakia who started to grow into the game as the half wore on.
Their biggest chance came through Dominik Holly whose close-range header was blocked by Matthias Debono.
Malta tried to double their lead through Matthew Debattista but his long-range effort went wide of Slovakia’s goal.
The Slovak side made their pressure count in the 36th minute when Adam Lacza, who is on the books of Hungary’s FC Gyor, levelled matters when he converted a cross from point-blank range.
Slovakia doubled their lead just before half-time through right winger Adam Gazi who beat Debono from inside the small area.
After the change of ends, Malta’s coach Macri made two changes with Jed Valletta and Nathan Agius coming on.
Slovakia came close to finding a third through Gazi but his curling effort sailed over the bar.
As time went by, Slovakia administered their one-goal lead in a comfortable manner with Malta struggling to muster up any chances in attempt to salvage something from this game.
