The Malta Under-21 national team lost 1-4 to Slovakia in a friendly match at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Monday.

Slovakia, who were coming from a 2-0 win over Spain in another friendly match last week, proved too strong for the locals. Woods made five changes to the team which performed quite well in Belgium as goalkeeper Matthias Debono, Andy Briffa, Kurt Borg, Zean Leonardi and Mattia Veselji were all named in the starting line-up.

Photo courtesy of Andre Farrugia / Malta FA

The visitors took an early lead as on the 5th minute, Adam Gazi delivered a cross from the right, Roman Cerepkai had a close-range effort blocked by Debono and off the rebound, Dominik Veselovsky placed the ball at the back of the net and just before the end of the first half, Adam Tucny hit home from close range following an assist by Jan Murgas from the right.

Malta reduced the gap ten minutes in the second half courtesy of Mattia Veselji following a fine run by Basil Tuma. However on the 67th minute, Mario Sauer beat Debono with a shot from outside the area. One minute in added time, Slovakia scored a fourth goal thanks to a freekick by Artur Gajdos.

Malta goalkeeper Reeves Cini and Nino Marcelli of Slovakia were sent off a minute later.

MALTA Matthias Debono (Reeves Cini 88), Zean Leonardi, Jake Vassallo (Jake Micallef 68), Owen Spiteri, Andrew Borg (Matthew Debattista 88), Kurt Briffa (Karl Mohnani 46), Dylan Scicluna, Kurt Bondin (Andrea Zammit 68), Aleandro Garzia, Basil Tuma, Mattia Veselji.

SLOVAKIA Tomas Fruhwald (Michal Kukucka 46), Tomas Jasso, Martin Gomola (Dominik Javorcek 72), Filip Mielke (Patrick Leitner 72), Martin Svidersky (Mario Sauer 61), Samuel Kopasek, Jan Murgas (Artur Gajdos 72), Dominik Veselovsky (Adrian Kapralik 72), Adam Tucny (Alexander Selecky 61), Adam Gazi (Nino Marcelli 61), Roman Cerepkai (Timotej Jambor 61).

Referee: Fyodor Zammit