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Two good performances by U19s in Liechtenstein

Published: 03-09-2017 12:25
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The Maltese National U19 played two friendly matches in and against Liechtenstein in order to prepare for the UEFA Under 19 Qualification campaign. Malta will take part in a mini tournament in The Netherlands between 4 and 10 October, facing the hosts, Slovenia and Hungary in what looks to be a tough group 4. U19 FRIENDLY MATCH 11.9.17, Ruggell, LiechtensteinLIECHTENSTEIN…0MALTA…1(0-1 Neil Frendo, pen, 53)A very solid performance of our boys, beating their Liechtenstein counterparts 0-1 in the first of two friendlies.The Maltese had some scoring opportunities in the first half. There was a free-kick of Neil Frendo (13th), a shot by Neil Micallef on the half hour mark and a good shot by Kyle Gatt (37th) which was well saved by the goalkeeper of Liechtenstein.In the 42nd minute the hosts were awarded a penalty but Malta goalkeeper Lydon Moore saved Noah Frick’s effort from 11 meters in style.Seven minutes into the second half, Malta were awarded a penalty. Andrea Borg’s great run from the right was halted irregularly by Liechtenstein defender Raphael Grunenfelder. Mosta’s Neil Frendo made no mistake from the spot.One minute later, Noah Frick had a good shot hit wide and just after the hour there was a great move by Peterborough’s Andrea Borg and Neil Frendo, but the latter’s shot went inches wide. Borg had to leave the pitch injured a little later.There were three more opportunities to seal the victory, two shorts by substitute Gianluca Zammit on 74 and 85 minutes and another short by goal scorer Frendo (82nd).Malta: Lyden Moore, Svein Bartolo, Romario Camilleri, Kyle Mifsud, (Ayrton Attard 62), Gary Camilleri, Zachary Grech, Kyle Gatt, (Andrea Borg 46), (Clyde Bouvet 76), Neil Micallef, (Jurgen Grech 67), Neil Frendo, (James Magri 84), Omar Elouni, (Gianluca Zammit 76), Shaun Dimech.Referee: Memo Ljatifi (Liechtenstein)U19 FRIENDLY MATCH 23.9.17, Eschen, Liechtenstein,LIECHTENSTEIN…0MALTA…0Earlier today, Wayne Attard’s boys were informed by the LFV that the venue of the second friendly was switched from Ruggell’s natural turf to the artificial turf pitch in Eschen. The continuing rainfall over the past days made the pitch at Ruggell unfit to host this match.The best opportunity for the Maltese in the first half was in the 32nd minute when Omar Elouni shot wide from an excellent position.In the second half substitute Alex Satariano (St.Andrew’s) left his mark. He had two great chances arriving on 49 and 55 minutes and a third one on 71 minutes when his shot was deviated by Neil Frendo.With twelve minutes on the clock, Neil Frendo’s free kick was well met by Alex Satariano but his header sailed inches high.Despite Malta’s domination, the U19s did not managed to find the net in this second friendly. It was however a very useful period for the players as these two friendlies certainly helped to improve cohesion, team building and match fitness.Malta: Rashed Al-Tumi, Svein Bartolo, (Kyle Gatt 46), Dejan Debono, Jurgen Grech, (Neil Micallef 78), Gary Camilleri, Zachary Grech, Clyde Bouvet, (Alex Satariano 46), James Magri, (Neil Frendo 19), Ayrton Attard, (Andrea Borg 70), Omar Elouni, (Gianluca Zammit 66), Shaun DimechReferee: Manuel Hermann (Liechtenstein)