Denmark prove too strong for Malta Under-16

A resounding win for the Denmark Under-16 side on match-day two of the UEFA Youth Development Tournament as they beat Malta 4-0 at the Centenary Stadium. This match against the group favourites, who defeated Scotland 4-0 in their opening match, posed a sterner test for the Maltese following their 2-0 win over Albania on Monday.

Denmark went ahead on 22 minutes when a flowing move ended with captain Andreas Bredahl hitting a strong shot from inside the box with the ball appearing to take a deflection off Malta defender Zean Leonardi as it rolled past the diving Miguel Spiteri.

Denmark doubled their lead on 32 minutes when William Vick got on the end of a fast move on the right before firing an unstoppage shot into the net.

The second half was characterised by a lot of substitutions from both teams. Nevertheless, Denmark kept their levels high and on the hour, they got their third goal as Filip Panejeskovic headed home from a close range after rising high to meet a well-taken corner from the right by Filip Andersen.

Denmark added a fourth goal nine minutes from time when the unmarked forward Victor Lind Stange unleashed a fine strike from the edge of the box.

In today’s opening game, played earlier at the Centenary Stadium, Scotland beat Albania 3-1. Jaden Ferguson scored a brace (16 and 45) for Scotland, Xemil Jahiji pulled one back for Albania on 55 minutes but, in stoppage time, Adam Brooks sealed Scotland’s 3-1 win.

Malta take on Scotland in their final match of this UEFA Youth Development Tournament on Friday 8th March at 15.00hrs.

MALTA U-16 Miguel Spiteri (Daniel Grima 41), Zean Leonardi (Sebastian Cassar Torregiani 70), Owen Sammut (Nikolai Micallef 41), Isaac Cutajar (Russel Micallef Decesare 41), James Vella, Nathan Agius (Azriel Borg 61), Antheos Spiteri (Matteo Gambin 51), Jake Grech (Glending Farrugia 51), Andreas Zammit (Nathan Sultana 41), Kurt Briffa, Anayochi Ihuomah (Zachary Chetcuti 41).

DENMARK U-16Jensen Lucas, Philip Sorensen, Filip Panejeskovic, William Vick, Andreas Bredahl, Filip Andersen, Oscar Fraulo, Oliver Jeppe, Valdemar Kwasniak, Marcelo Randolf, Victor Lind Stange.

Referee: Ryan Caruana

CURRENT STANDINGSDenmark 6 points; Scotland 3; Malta 3; Albania 0.