Malta Under-18 held Turkey Under-17 in a 2-2 draw on Friday in the first of two friendly matches at the MFA Training Grounds.  Zinnari’s men were at par with the visitors, who have recently qualified for the elite round of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.   They have been drawn in Group C and will face the likes of Serbia, Spain and Belgium in the next round.

Engin Poyraz Efe Yildrim put Turkey ahead on the 20th minute but on the 40th, Zak Barbara equalised as he took the ball and served a powerful shot that left the Turkish goalkeeper helpless. 

Malta went ahead on the 61^st minute as substitute Sean Gatt concluded a fine run with a shot which beat Turkish goalkeeper Mert Furkan Bayram.  Turkey levelled matters on the 78^th minute thanks to Yasin Uzakgider.

Photo courtesy of www.stephengatt.com / Malta FA

The two teams meet again next Monday 25th April 2022 at 19:00hrs at the Malta FA Training Grounds

MALTA Karl Sargent, Sasha Cachia, Benjamin Hili, Lucas Caruana, Jake Micallef, Sven Xerri, Nathan Cross, Andrew Borg, Jamie Scerri, Brooklyn Borg, Zak Barbara.
Subs: Adam Buttigieg, Matteo Gambin, Neil Meli, Deacon Abela, Josiah Mallia, Alex Spiteri, Daniel Letherby, Sean Gatt, Gabriel Farrugia, Kaiden Fenech, Nicholas Galea.

TURKEY Mert Furkan Bayram, Efe Can Baran, Salih Malkocoglu, Bilal Selamet, Kaan Bengi, Baran Ali Gezek, Ali Eren Ersungur, Emirhan Demirci, Emirhan Acar, Firat Alpsoy, Engin Poyraz Efe Yildrim
Subs: Atakan Nuri Ordu, Deniz Ertas, Ali Yesilyurt, Bugra Yildrim, Hijran Ali Boyaci, Muhammet Eren Arikan, Ali Turap Bulbul, Halil Ozdemir, Yunus Emre Doner, Efe Arda Koyuncu, Yusuf Inci, Ata Berk Karababa, Mert Erol, Yasin Uzakgider.

Referee: Wayne Sammut