28.03.2022UNDER-16 FRIENDLYTa’ Qali Training GroundsMALTA…0AZERBAIJAN…2(HT 0-2)0-1 Alakbarli 25, 0-2 Ahmadzada 45+2.Earlier this morning, the Malta under 16 team played the second Friendly against their counterparts of Azerbaijan at the Ta’ Qali training grounds. After holding the Azeri’s to a 2-2 draw last Friday, the guests were stronger this time, scoring two first half goals without reply, to give Azerbaijan a deserved win.
Malta started well after surviving an early scare when Leon Gauci reacted well on an Elton Mikayilov shot early in the match. The hosts responded with two goalscoring opportunities by Nicholas Agius and Jake Azzopardi, both blocked by Azeri goalkeeper Hashimov. Azerbaijan took over proceedings with the hard wind in their backs and opened the score on 25 minutes thanks to Ashraf Alakbarli, who rounded off a perfect pass by Allahverdi Rahimov. Malta had trouble to reach their forward line and in stoppage time of the first half, Azerbaijan doubled thanks to a Nihad Ahmadzada header from a Rahimov free-kick. After the break, Malta had definitely more ball possession but found it hard to create chances with the Azeri rear-guard standing strong. There were goalscoring opportunities by Keyon Ewurum, Liam Delicata and Jake Azzopardi, but all off target. Sasha Glumac came closest to score for Malta when his rising shot on 88 minutes was blocked well by Hashimov before the defence of the Azeri’s could clear the danger. The two matches served as preparation towards the UEFA Under-17 Championships in October this year, when Malta will play Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. Malta will host this mini-tournament. 'The friendly games were a great opportunity for the squad to put the work we did in the last few months into practice at International level prior to the UEFA Youth Development Tournament in Malta' said coach Andrea Vella after the match. 'Despite today’s setback, there were positives from the games and something which we look to build on for the upcoming games and more importantly, for the players’ long-term development'. MaltaLeon Gauci, Kewell Fardell (Bradley Farrugia 73), Nic Briffa, Lucas Okeke, Shaun Carabott (Sasha Glumac 46), Kayden Farrugia, Aiden Zammit (Lenny Mattocks 46), Nicholas Agius (Nexille Grech 73), Liam Delicata (Felippe Bugeja 73), Jake Azzopardi (Peter Ohaka 73), Keyon Ewurum (Gerrard Cann-Rodgers 84)Coach: Andrea Vella AzerbaijanSalim Hashimov, Musa Mammadov (Mehdi Hashumov 86), Aykhan Garayev, Allahverdi Rahimov (Elgun Arazli 77), Ahmad Tarverdiyev (Huseyn Huseynov 55), Dinamin Baghirov (Jeyhun Baghirzada 86), Teymur Mirzayev (Ilkin Jafarli 77), Elton Mikayilov (Murad Mammadov 46), Ashraf Alakbarli (Sadig Mammadli 46, Namig Mammadzada 77), Nihad Ahmadzada, Farid Shahhuseyni (Niyazi Osmanov 46). Coach: Elkhan Abdullayev Referee: Patrick Falzon