Malta lost 2-0 to Albania in a friendly match at the Niko Dovana Stadium in Durres in a match which served as preparation for the national team ahead of the EURO 2016 qualifying campaign which kicks-off next September.

Pietro Ghedin handed Ryan Camilleri, Steve Bezzina and Paul Fenech a place in the starting line-up as Jonathan Caruana, Roderick Briffa and Ryan Fenech were dropped from the squad together with other Valletta players after failing to report for training with the national team on Thursday and Friday.

The hosts took the lead on the 26th minute thanks to a header by Torino midfielder Migjen Basha off a corner from the left. Seven minutes in the second half, Albania doubled the score with a great shot by Alban Meha from outside the area which gave Andrew Hogg no chance.

Photos: Copyright © Joe Borg/MFA

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ALBANIA Erit Berisha (85′ Orges Shehi), Andi Lila, Mergim Mavraj, Ansi Agolli, Lorik Cana, Migjen Basha, Alban Meha (64′ Amir Abrashi), Ergys Kace (78′ Ledian Memushaj), Edmond Kapllani (78′ Armando Sadiku), Valdet Rama (71′ Odise Roshi), Jahmir Hyka.
Coach: Gianni De Biasi
MALTA Andrew Hogg, Alex Muscat, Steve Bezzina, Gareth Sciberras (57′ Bjorn Kristensen), Andrei Agius, Paul Fenech, Clayton Failla, Michael Mifsud (89′ Terence Vella), Andre Schembri (66′ Andrew Cohen), John Mintoff, Ryan Camilleri (91′ Edward Herrera).
Coach: Pietro Ghedin
Referee: Dejan Jakimovski (FYROM)