Malta kicked off their European U17 Championship qualification with a 4-0 defeat against group favourites England. A much-deserved victory for the superior English, who showed their class but bumped from time to time into the hard-working Maltese boys. The team of coach Francesco Macri can be complimented on their work-rate, doing everything possible to hold back their stylish opponents.
England started with 16-year-old Jack Porter between the sticks, who already made his debut for Arsenal in an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers last month. The players selected are playing with international renown youth academies of clubs such as Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs, Manchester City, West Ham United and Manchester United, which made the task for our boys a though one.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
It took the guests twelve minutes to find the net with Chelsea striker Chizaram Ezenwata placing the ball behind Malta goalkeeper Adam Newell from the edge of the six-yard box. On 21 minutes, a header by Jun’Ai Byfield from a corner action was headed from the goal-line by Andreas Vella.
Although the match was played mostly on the Malta half with England dominating, Malta looked to settle down with Chesterfield based Gunner Elliott up front trying to force out some Malta attacks, avidly assisted by Jaylen Zarb. The guests showed plenty of skill but their supremacy was most definitely not translated into goals during the first half.
Eight minutes after the re-start, Malta were punished for some soft defending with Ezenwata somehow fumbling the ball behind Newell from close-range. Porter was called into action for the first time barely a minute later from an angled long-distance attempt by captain Jack Camilleri. But on 68 minutes, 14-year-old substitute Max Dowman added the third goal for the visitors, producing an excellent curled left-footer from the edge of the box.
Malta ventured forward whenever it could, creating a few promising attacks with perhaps substitute Matteo Paolo Grech having the best opportunity on 76 minutes but his attempt sailed wide. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Igor Tyjon added the fourth and final goal for the English, who clinically rounded up the match.
This afternoon, Sweden and Latvia will kick-off their tournament at the same venue, kick off 14h30.
Malta
Adam Newell, Drew Miceli, Andreas Vella, Sami Abo Assaf, Emerson Mejlak, Keerin Formosa, Matteas Caruana (Zyas Vella Newell 65), Daniel Pawley (Ethan Brincat Winters 84), Jack Camilleri (Ben Gaerty 84), Jaylen Zarb (Matteo Paolo Grech 58), Gunner Elliott (Scott Camilleri 65).
England
Jack Porter, Jun’ai Byfield (Lew Richards 71), Freddie Simmonds, Malachi Hardy, Bendito Mantato (Andre Dike 79), Chinaza Nwosu, Landon Emenalo, Finlay Gorman, Chizaram Ezenwata (Igor Tyjon 71), Rio Ngumoha (Luca Williams-Barnett 56), Harry Howell (Max Dowman 56)
Referee
Floriana Lata (Albania)