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Malta reaction cut short by late Ukraine goals

Published: 13-11-2020 17:50
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UEFA UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 813/11/2020 – Centenary Stadium, Ta’ QaliMALTA   1UKRAINE 4(HT 0-2)Kukharevych 4’, 32’, Elouni 47’, Milovanov 79’, Shevtsov 90+2An improved second-half performance by the Malta Under-21 team was not enough to avert defeat to Ukraine who won this qualifier 4-1. The visitors were worthy winners but the Maltese youngsters were well in the match after pulling one back but their reaction was cut short by Ukraine's third goal which came during a period when the hosts were pressing for an equaliser. Coach Silvio Vella awarded 20-year-old Italy-based goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi his first Under-21 cap between the sticks, the 43rd Maltese player used in this UEFA Under-21 campaign. Malta initially had no reply to the pressing game of the Ukrainians and the visitors were 0-1 up after good work on the left with Mykola Kukharevych collecting the cross and hitting home from  close range. Al Tumi did well on 18 minutes to block a Volodymyr Yakimets's attempt from the edge of the box and he turned the rebound of Oleksandr Nazarenko away for a corner. On 32 minutes, Kykharevych added a second goal for the visitors, punishing off a mistake in the Maltese defence. Seven minutes later, Jan Busuttil was sent through on the right but his powerful shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar.The second half started well for Malta with Omar Elouni reducing the deficit on 47 minutes after some hesitant defending by the visitors. The hosts were enjoying a stable period and close to the hour, Ayrton Attard's attempt from a 20-metre distance sailed inches over the crossbar.  In the 78th minute, Ukraine had their first scoring opportunity of the second half as centre-back Vladislav Baboglo’s header just missed target from a corner action. A minute later, however, substitute Bogdan Milovanov grabbed the third goal for the visitors, beating Al Tumi from close range to seal Ukraine's win. With two minutes left to play, substitute Ievgeni Isaienko was tackled inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors. Isaienko took the spot kick himself but Al Tumi saved the attempt in style. Deep into added time however, Ukraine managed to add their fourth thanks to substitute Ilia Shevtsov. Malta now play Finland next Tuesday at 15.oo at the same venue, their 10th and last match in this qualification group. MALTAR. Al-Tumi, Z. Grech, N. Pulis, C. Zammit Lonardelli (M. Ellul 88), G. Camilleri, M. Beerman, J.Z erafa (M. Grima 85), A. Attard, A. Friggieri (A. Spiteri 85), O. Elouni (A. Zammit 85), J. Busuttil (J.Scicluna 85)UKRAINEA. Trubin, O. Syrota, R. Vantukh (I. Shevtsov 85), V. Dubinchak V. Yakimets,, V. Babohlo, H. Sudakov (D. Kravchur 72), S. Buletsa (Y. Yarmoliuk 85), O. Nazarenko (B. Milovanov 64), V. Brazhko, M. Kukharevych (I. Isaienko 64) Yellow card: Zammit Lonardelli (M) Referee:  Pavel Rejzek (Czech Republic).