Stoppage-time goals sink Under-21 side against Slovakia

The Malta Under-21 side conceded two goals deep into stoppage time to lose 1-3 to Slovakia in a match from Group C of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

Facing a much stronger opponent, the locals did their best to keep their opponents at bay and managed to take the lead one minute from the end of the first half when Ayrton Attard, served by Andrea Zammit, beat goalkeeper Ivan Krajcirik with a shot from inside the area which hit the upright before ending at the back of the net.

However three minutes in added time, Slovakia restored equilibrium thanks to Peter Pokorny who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Amara Sylla following a corner from the left.

Five minutes from time, the locals were reduced to ten men as Aleandro Garzia was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

The visitors took full advantage and two minutes in added time, Patrik Ilko headed home off a cross by Adam Goljan from the left.

Slovakia added another seven minutes in added time with another Patrik Ilko header off another cross by Goljan from the left.

Malta will be playing its last game in the group on Tuesday against group winners Spain.

MALTA Amara Sylla, Andreas Vella, Christian Gauci, Adam Bradshaw, Marcus Grima, Ayrton Attard (84′ Jean Paul Attard), Andrea Zammit (80′ Joseph Zammit), Shaun Dimech, Aleandro Garzia, Mattia Veselji (86′ Sheldon Mackay), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.

SLOVAKIA Ivan Krajcirik, Tomas Nemcik, Adam Obert, Peter Pokorny, Filip Lichy (78′ Sebastian Nebyla), Roland Galcik (63′ Adam Goljan), David Strelec (63′ Tomas Bobcek), Jakub Kadak (81′ Adam Tucny), Adrian Kapralik (63′ Patrik Ilko), Ivan Mesik, Peter Kovacik.

Referee: Snir Levy ISR