The Malta Futsal team lost the opening match in a double-header encounter against the visiting young Romania side by the odd goal in three.
Playing their first international match under the helm of new Dutch coach Victor Hermans, the Maltese opened the score through a brilliant goal by skipper John Cutajar in the seventh minute.
The Romanians drew level in the 16th minute thanks to well-taken Costantin Danut goal and went ahead one minute before the interval (19′) as a result of a rare defensive mistake by the locals which the opportunist Szabo Szolt converted. (HT 1-2)
The Maltese played a good match and should be well satisfied with their overall disciplined performance despite the introduction of new elements in the side. Darren Agius, Xavier Saliba and Carlos Scicluna went close to equalise in the second half but were thwarted by the alert Romanian custodian.
MALTA Matthew Mifsud (Brian Baldacchino), Frank Scerri, Elton Catania, Darren Agius, Clint Cope, Paul Bugeja, Tyron Borg, Robert Magro, Jean Bert Gatt, Xavier Saliba, John Cutajar (c), Nicola De Re, Carlos Scicluna.
Referees: Gjergji Bitri, Norman Vella