The Under-21 side shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Cyprus in a friendly match at the National Stadium on Sunday. The game was part of the local side’s preparation ahead of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier against Ukraine later this month.

Edwin Camilleri could not count on a number of players who will be in action in the U*BET FA Trophy semi-finals on Monday and Tuesday.

Goal-mouth action was rather rare with only a handful of shots at goal throughout the ninety minutes.

Mark Scerri was unlucky not to put Malta ahead on 43 minutes as he hit the crossbar with a direct freekick. On 56 minutes, another shot by the Sliema midfielder was blocked and off the rebound, Karl Pulo’s effort was parried by the Cypriot goalkeeper.

The Maltese appealed for a penalty on 62 minutes when Karl Pulo seemed to be fouled inside the area by a defender but the referee waved play on.

Two minutes from time, the visitors had a long-distance shot which was neutralised by goalkeeper Henry Bonello and in added time, a Rowen Muscat effort ended just over the bar.

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MALTA Henry Bonello (92′ Steve Sultana), Adrian Borg (90′ Jonathan Xerri), Owen Bugeja (68′ Andrew Scicluna), Joseph Zerafa, Beppe Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Mark Scerri, Julian Galea (81′ Mauro Grioli), Richard Chetcuti (57′ Terrence Vella), Sergio Hili (85′ Luke Sciberras), Karl Pulo.

CYPRUS Tasos Kissas, Kyriakos Kyriakou (32′ Christos Palates), Panayiotis Panayiotou, Pantelis Pitsillos, Kostas Markou (79′ Costantinos Mintikkis), Antonis Katsis (79′ Ioannis Hadsivasiliou), Georgios Tofas (46′ Andreas Alkiviadou), Antreas Stavrov (64′ Giorgios Economides), Antreas Kyprianou, Angelis Charalambous, Marios Antoniades.

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Alan Camilleri
Fourth Official: Marco Borg