The Malta Futsal national team lost twice to Estonia in two friendly matches which were played at the National Sports School in Pembroke on Friday and Saturday.

These friendly matches served the team for the upcoming preliminary round leading to the qualifying group for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup,  The preliminary round will be played between the 4th and 13th of April.  

Photos courtesy of Joe Borg / Malta FA

In the first match on Friday, Malta lost 1-4. Zeljko Anicic’s men were the better side during first half, taking the lead through Jean Noel Azzopardi but Estonia levelled matters through Marek Naal, adding another three goals through Denis Vnukovi, Naal and Maksim Babjak.

MALTA Stefan Vella, Karl Sciortino, Andre Ciancio, Michael Borg, Jovica Milijic, Giancarlo Sammut, Matthew Attard, Melvin Borg, Mark Zammit, Andy Mangion, Luke Gatt, Dylan Cacciattolo, Dale Valletta, Jean Noel Azzopardi

ESTONIA Mark Boskin, Pavel Rubel, Denis Vnukov, Marek Naal, Mark Ivanov, Dmitri Gabenko, Edwin Stuf, Artur Bostrov, Maksim Babjak, Priit Paedo, Mikk Laas, Temari Nuuma, Joonas Kartsep, Stanislav Bostrov.

On Saturday, Malta lost 0-4.

Estonia broke the deadlock thanks to Pavel Rubel and Edwin Stuf doubled the score with the locals unlucky not to score.

In the second half, Estonia were the better team and scored two more goals through Marek Naal. 

MALTA Clint Mifsud, Karl Sciortino, Andre Cachia, Andre Ciancio, Jovica Milijic, Giancarlo Sammut, Matthew Attard, Melvin Borg, Mark Zammit, Ryan Muscat, Luke Gatt, Dylan Cacciattolo, Dale Valletta, Jean Noel Azzopardi

ESTONIA Mark Boskin, Pavel Rubel, Denis Vnukov, Marek Naal, Mark Ivanov, Dmitri Gabenko, Edwin Stuf, Artur Bostrov, Maksim Babjak, Priit Paedo, Mikk Laas, Temari Nuuma, Joonas Kartsep, Stanislav Bostrov.