Under-21 side lose 3-2 to Albania in friendly match

Mosta’s Zachary Brincat scored twice for the Malta Under-21 side in a 3-2 defeat to Albania in a friendly match at the Stadiumi Loro Borici in Shkodër.

The hosts took the lead on 11 minutes through Shefit Shefiti who got on the end of a well-worked free-kick, firing home from close range.

Malta levelled matters on the 37th minute. Matthew Guillaumier sent Zachary Brincat through and the latter advanced and kept his cool to slot the ball past the Albanian keeper.

Albania were unlucky to hit the woodwork with a Shefiti freekick five minutes in the second half but on the 66th minute, off a Myles Beerman corner from the right, the unmarked Zachary Brincat smashed a fierce shot into the top of the net to put Malta 2-1 ahead.

With fourteen minutes remaining, the hosts levelled the score after being awarded what looked like a dubious penalty. From the spot, Shefiti made the score 2-2.

Three minutes from time, Albania scored the winning goal through substitute Rubin Hebaj who advanced and chipped the ball over helpless Malta keeper Andreas Vella.

This was the second friendly match for the Malta Under-21 team against Albania who won the first 2-0 last Friday.

Photo courtesy of MFA

MALTA Andreas Vella, Michele Sansone, Connor Zammit, Kurt Shaw, Nicky Pulis, Jean Borg, Aidan Friggieri (72′ Andrea Borg), Jamie Zerafa, Zachary Brincat (89′ Jan Tanti), Matthew Guillaumier, Myles Beerman.