Under-17 Friendly: Malta makes a good comeback

Under-17 International Friendly MatchMalta vs Albania 2-2 (HT 1-0)Venue: Hibernians StadiumScorers: 18 M. Bardihi (A), 50' F. Ymeraliaj (A), 49' R. Spiteri (M), 80' L. Montebello Pen (M)      Malta U17 Albania U17 12Debattista Jean Claude1Gjenikaj Fabio       13Borg Bernard2Jonuzi Amri          3Bonello Matthew (c)3Bardihi Mikelanxho  20Attard Miguel4Marku Kristi 5Mackay Godwin5Bejko Donald         6Cesare Kyle8Hoxhallari Erion     7Spiteri Ryan19Jurgen Vativikaj 16Aquilina Gabriel16Dervishi Ardian      9Cremona Llywelyn21Franc Ymeraliaj 10Montebello Luke10Cakalli Aleksander  (c)19Pisani Justin11Bunjaku Astrit             Reserves   1Pecorella Luke12Laco Tedi            4Muscat Fabio9Selami Rigers 2Cumbo Clyde6Nuri Klodian         17Dandolo Paolo7Vora Xhulio          18Muscat Jan17Shyti Kristi 11Thorne Matthew18Sallaku Senad       8Zammit Kurt13Agalliu Alken        14Degiorgio Matthew14Cemo Klaudio        15Muscat Leo15Maksutaj Dardan           Coach    Edwin Camilleri Dzemal Mustedanagic      Referee:    Andre Arciola         Assistant Referees:    Darryl Agius    Emmanuel Grech            At the Hibernians Stadium, Edwin Camilleri changed five players from the game on Monday in his quest to give more experience to his young team who is either playing their first or second international match of their career. Albania gained momentum in the first half and scored through Bardihi Mikelanxho in the eitghteenth minute with a low unbeatable shot from inside the box. In the twentieth minute Luke Montebello saw his well taken freekick saved by the alert Albanian keeper Fabio Gjenikaj. With ten minutes to go in the first half which is only played for forty minutes at this level Ryan Spiteri rose high for a header which soared above the post. The excellent cross came from the enterprising Llywelyn Cremona. Ten minutes in the scond half Franc Ymeraliaj managed to double the score with some difficulty as he saw his two headers hit the crossbar in the same goal action. His third header bounced off the Maltese defender hit the upright and went in. Ryan Spiteri hit the back of the net directly from a corner kick with the Albanian keeper slightly touching the ball. Luke Montebello failed to score the equaliser just minutes after when he thought he was in an offside position and with no one but the keeper in front of him shot the ball wide. Montebello on a run was fouled inside the box by Gjenikaj and the referee had no option but to point to the penalty spot. The Maltese forward calmly placed the ball to the left of the keeper scoring a well taken penalty in the fortieth minute. Edwin Camilleri after match comments “Obviously we needed to insert new players to try them out in these kind of matches. We looked at who needs to work physically, mentally and in other aspects to improve for the future. More of these matches will help us for the future to build the squad for competitive matches. Our scope today was on going forward and building attacks. On going 2-0 down we concentrated on our pressing game and we made a very good comeback. I am fully satisfied on the winning mentality we managed to instil for both of these matches. Already there is a very good base but we need to improve on the simple things and keeping possession of the ball more. “ “All the players were utilised and it showed that we are on the right track when fresh players came in fighting for the ball immediately and with the right mentality. Other players will be recruited in the future to make the squad even stronger, so the players will have to strive for the place in the national team”.