Two goals in the first nine minutes paved the way for an easy win for Romania over the Malta Under-21 side in a match from qualifying round the International Challenge Trophy at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

The visitors managed to take the lead on the 6th minute thanks to a low diagonal shot from inside the area by Alin Carstocea. Three minutes later, Andrei Herghelieu doubled the score with a rising shot from the edge of the area.

Terence Vella tested Romanian goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu with a good header on 25 minutes but four minutes from the end of the first half, Romania scored the third goal as Carstocea anticipated Daniel Balzan with a cute lob from just outside the area.

On the hour, Nicolae Stanciu scored the fourth goal when he converted a penalty after being brought down inside the area.

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MALTA Daniel Balzan (46′ Steve Sultana), Cleaven Cassar (79′ Mauro Grioli), Matthew Gauci, Owen Bugeja (46′ Sheldon Grech), Andrew Scicluna, David Azzopardi (29′ Kane Farrugia), Triston Caruana, Mark Scerri (62′ Jonathan Xerri), Terence Vella, Miguel Ciantar, Lyden Micallef.
ROMANIA Laurentiu Branescu (67′ Alexandru Doru Greab), Andrei Julian Daruiala, Lucian Murgoci (58′ Nicu Alexandru Giurgiu), Andrei Peteleu (67′ Florin Ilie), Alin Ionut Carstocea (64′ Ionut Adrian Serban), Andrei Alexandru Florean, Romario Sandu Benzar, Tiberiu Andrei Serediuc, Andrei Herghelieu (64′ Radu Andrei Curuteu), Nicolae Claudiu Stanciu, Constantin Stoica.
Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Joe Camilleri
Fourth Official: Marco Borg