An early goal proved to be enough for a spirited Malta U18 side to record a narrow 1-0 win over Latvia on Thursday, in the first of two friendlies to be played over three days.
In the opening stages, Latvia seemed to try and feel their way in the game, controlling most of the possession. The first opportunity came in the third minute, as Latvia whipped the ball into the penalty area from a corner, and while the ball met one of the attackers, it ricocheted off others in the box, before going narrowly wide.
Malta’s first chance on goal came in the fifth minute, as Keyon Ewurum found space down the left wing and went past one of the Latvian defenders. However, while his cut-back found of the other Maltese forwards, it was miscontrolled and the ball was easily collected by goalkeeper Krists Plavins.
The opening goal came in the 14th minute, as Thomas Melillo stole the ball off the Latvia defence after a loose pass into midfield, and he tucked it away calmly past the goalkeeper to put Malta in front.
Just a few minutes later, Malta came close to doubling their lead, as Shaun Xiberras was fed a great through ball on the right wing, and then he fired a low cross into the penalty area, yet Kai Bartolo’s attempt was saved by Plavins.
As the half wore on, it became more of an end-to-end encounter, and at one point there was a ball flicked to Roberts Kukulis, who ran through on goal, but Malta goalkeeper James Sissons stood strong and made a great save to deny Latvia an equaliser.
Malta remained very dangerous on the counter, and on the 30-minute mark, some brilliant link-up play freed Amin Malik on the left and he won a corner kick. The resulting corner was taken quickly and Ewurum made his way into the box, yet he failed to make a clean contact with the ball and it was calmly collected by the Latvian goalkeeper.
After half-time, the match was largely contested in midfield, with both sides having spells with more of the ball. The first chance of the half fell to Kristaps Mosans, as a quick counter led to him finding space in the penalty area, yet his shot was easily saved by Sissons.
Midway through the second half, Latvia came close to equalising after swinging a corner deep into the the Maltese penalty area, yet the ball sailed just over the bar.
Malta’s defence remained resolute, and while Latvia threatened on some occasions, the home side was comfortable in possession and held out for an impressive and hard-fought win.
The two sides will meet again for a second friendly on Saturday 16th November 2024 at 13:30hrs, also at the Malta FA Training Grounds.
Photos courtesy of www.stephengatt.com
Malta 1 James Sissons (GK), 2 Shelom Magri, 3 Amin Malik, 4 Jerome Baldacchino, 5 Sheldon Borg (C), 6 Aiden Agius, 7 Shaun Xiberras (17 Adam Vella 68′), 8 Thomas Melillo (14 Kye Cassar 33′), 9 Joshua Pitts (21 Jean Borg 68′), 10 Keyon Ewurum (16 Luke Bugeja 81′), 11 Kai Bartolo.
Latvia 1 Krists Plavins (GK), 3 Valters Liepajnieks (19 Artjoms Lazarevs 65′), 4 Matiss Silins (20 Helvijs Joksts 46′), 5 Adams Dreimanis, 7 Rudolfs Klavinskis (C), 8 Ratmirs Trifonovos (6 Peteris Palameiks 46′), 9 Kristaps Mosans (21 Nils Veinbergs 65′), 10 Roberts Kukulis, 11 Krisjanis Rupeiks, 17 Marks Pacepko (2 Gustavas Leitans 46′), 18 Aleksandrs Molotkovs (15 Ralfs Bethers 46′)
Coach: Viktors Dobrecovs