Malta and Azerbaijan shared the spoils in a goalless draw in an Under-21 friendly match at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday.
This was the first outing for this new edition of the Under-21 side as most of the players which used to form part of the squad are no longer eligible.
Malta had a good opportunity to take the lead on 21 minutes when off a cross by Luke Montebello, Ryan Camenzuli served Johann Bezzina whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Magomedaliev.
Azerbaijan replied with an Azer Salahli effort which hit the crossbar. On the 65th, the visitors went close once again with a fine header by Samir Masimov off a cross from the right by Isayev which scraped past the post. Azerbaijan missed an incredible chance on the 71st when Samir Masimov’s close range effort was blocked by Cain Attard after a shot by Azer Salahli was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Malta’s reaction consisted of a Luke Montebello header which ended just wide off a cross by Ryan Camenzuli, served by Terence Agius on 79 minutes.
MALTA Yenz Cini (46′ Jurgen Borg), Manuel Briffa, Samir Arab, Daniel Zerafa (64′ Michael Johnson), Ryan Camenzuli, Luke Montebello (89′ Ryan Spiteri), Johann Bezzina (74′ Terence Agius), Brandon Muscat (91′ Antoine Borg), Kyle Cesare, Llywelyn Cremona, Cain Attard.
AZERBAIJAN Shakhrydin Magomedaliev, Deniz Topçu, Azad Karimov (86′ Jamil Hajiyev), Elvin Badalov, Taskin Ilter, Namik Alaskarov, Bayram Budagov (46′ Vadim Abdullayev), Magsad Isayev, Azer Salahli, Samir Asimov (81′ Elvin Jamalov), Dursun Akdag (81′ Fyad Bayramov).
Referee: Zbynek Proske (CZE)