Narrow defeat for Under-23 side in Belgium

The Malta Under-23 side lost narrowly to Belgium in another match from the International Challenge Trophy away from home.

The game was a very balanced affair with Belgium having the upper hand in the first half and Malta being the better team in the second half.

The hosts scored the all-important goal on 12 minutes when Danilo Maciel Sousa Campos fired a low shot from outside the area which gave no chance to Maltese goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Malta could have equalised through Christian Caruana who hit the goal post with a well-placed shot, with the Belgian goal keeper Goris completely beaten.

In the final twenty minutes, the Maltese pressed hard for the equaliser but the Belgians defended well the result to claim the three points.

MALTA: Henry Bonello, Justin Grioli (50′ Edward Herrera), Gianluca Calabretta (60′ Matthew Bartolo), Joseph Zerafa, Andrei Agius, Ryan Fenech (72′ Ryan Deguara), Clayton Failla, Edmond Agius, Ian Zammit, Christian Caruana, Dyson Falzon.

Malta will now host Romania on April 21.