Malta narrowly lost their final match of the UEFA Boys U15 Development Tournament, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Kosovo, despite a spirited and attacking performance.
The game was off to a quick start, with both sides looking to build attacks from the back.
The first shot came in the third minute, when Kaiden Grixti found some space in midfield and hit a shot from long range that sailed just past the post. Just moments later, Grixti was once again free in the middle, and tried his luck from a long way out again, and his shot cannoned off the bar.
Photo courtesy of Beppe Camilleri / Malta FA
Kosovo’s first opportunity came in the 17th minute, when a shot from the edge of the box from Eris Balaj was tipped over the bar by Noah Mulholland.
Kosovo were starting to be increasingly dangerous down the wings, and in the 23rd minute, Mulholland had to come to Malta’s rescue again, saving with his feet after an effort from a tight angle from Dion Sylaj to keep it goalless. Kosovo carved another opening, with Eris Balaj firing a good strike from the edge of the box, but Mulholland made a firm save down to his right, denying the opposition yet again.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute, when Sylaj found space on the right wing and fed a ball through the middle of the six-yard box, which was met by Balaj, who tapped it into the net to make it 1-0 to Kosovo. Malta pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the half, but the score remained 1-0 at the break.
Coach Jonathan Holland made a number of changes at the break, and Malta started the second-half on top, pinning Kosovo back. Malta came close to equalising through Nicholas Busuttil, one of the players who came on, as he carved a way past the defence, yet saw his shot at the near post saved by Leke Qarri.
Malta continued to control the match, keep Kosovo penned back in their half. On the 65-minute mark, Busuttil whipped the ball from the left wing, finding Lukas Wright, but his header went narrowly wide. Malta were awarded a free-kick two minutes later, and Grixti stepped up to take it, yet for the second time this game, his strike hit the bar.
Malta tried to push for an equaliser, with most of the second-half being played in Kosovo’s half, but the away side remained resilient and held out for a 1-0 win.
This caps off Malta’s games in the UEFA Bous U15 Development Tournament, which provided a remarkable experience for the team to continue their development and growth.
Malta 1 Noah Mulholland (GK), 2 Liam Gatt (13 Robbie Formosa 46′, 7 Cole Zerafa 90′), 6 Jayden Roe (C), 14 Matteo Mangion, 4 Kaiden Grixti, 3 Giorgio Cristauro (15 Jake Bonnici 86′), 17 Sean Farrugia (5 Adam Miceli 73′), 16 Kayden Hili (10 Nicholas Busuttil 46′), 8 Ayrem Aquilina (19 Kenzil Vella 73′), 20 Rhys Vassallo (9 Lukas Wright 46′), 18 Luke Buttigieg (11 Fionn Dullard 86′)
Kosovo 1 Leke Qarri (GK), 2 Bardh Rrapuca, 3 Almir Krasniqi, 5 Aldin Gashi, 8 Kron Avdiu (14 Art Rexhepi 90+1′), 9 Eri Berisha (19 Enes Pllana 46′, 6 Dion Maralusha 90+1′), 10 Eris Balaj, 11 Butrint Ademi (C), 13 Dion Sylaj (7 Albion Mustafa 73′), 17 Bleon Potoku, 21 Aldin Imeri