The Malta national futsal team played two international friendly matches against Romania at the University Sports Pavilion on Tuesday and Wednesday, losing 1-2 and 1-3 respectively
These matches will serve as preparation for the European Futsal Championship qualifiers where Malta will play against Italy, Finland and Belarus between December and April.
In the first match, Romania, who are currently 24th in the FIFA ranking, went ahead three minutes from the end of the first half through Dudau Vlad. Malta equalised a few seconds later through Collin Sammut who beat goalkeeper Petrisor Tonita.
In the second half, Romania regained the lead after a good run by Sergiu Gavrila who beat Clint Mifsud with a powerful shot.
MALTA: Clint Mifsud (Luxol Futsal), Ryan Scerri (University Futsal), Marrwan Telisi (Luxol Futsal), Michael Borg (Luxol Futsal), Giancarlo Sammut (Ta’ Xbiex Futsal), Mark Zammit (Luxol Futsal), Andre Ciancio (Luxol Futsal), Maicon Da Silva Gaieswki (Luxol Futsal), Robert Stoyanov (Luxol Futsal), Celino Alves De Freitas (Luxol Futsal), Andre Cachia (University Futsal), Aaron Montebello (University Futsal), Collin Sammut (Ħamrun Futsal), Luke Gatt (Luxol Futsal).
Photo courtesy of Joe Borg
In the second match, Romania came from behind to win 3-1.
The Maltese were in the lead for almost a whole game but some defensive mistakes paved the way for the Romanian comeback.
Malta went ahead midway in the first half through Luke Gatt who with a first timer surprised goalkeeper Tonita Petrisor.
However, in the final two minutes, the Maltese committed the sixth foul which meant a free-shot against them, converted by Andor Balint. A few seconds later, Andrei Cracium made it 2-1 and as the Maltese came out with the flying keeper, Hadnagy Istvan took advantage and sealed the final victory as he slotted into the empty net.
MALTA: Ryan Marmara, Michael Borg, Giancarlo Sammut, Collin Sammut, Robert Stoyanov, Andre Ciancio, Celino Alves, Andre Cachia, Aaron Montebello, Mark Zammit, Maicon, Luke Gatt, Cleaven Portelli, Marwan Telisi, Steve Camilleri, Karl Luke Schembri, Ryan Scerri, Andrej Trajkowski, Sam Abela.