Malta beats Lithuania in final match
The Malta Under-19 team came from a goal down to beat Lithuania 2-1 and claim third place in the group on the final matchday of the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Mini Tournament at the Centenary Stadium. It was a richly-deserved victory for our U-19 team who produced a brilliant second-half performance to turn the result in their favour and secure their first win after their commendable 1-1 draw against Belgium in the second match last Saturday.
Coach Winston Muscat fielded the same team that started Malta’s opening match, a narrow 1-0 defeat against France. Goalkeeper Amara Sylla was back in goal after coming off injured in Saturday's match against Belgium.
In the sixth minute, Sylla did well to turn a shot from Edgaras Utkus away for a corner.
Five minutes later Lithuania took the lead. Striker Benas Anisas rounded off a quick counter-attack through the middle which took the Maltese by surprise.
The first notable scoring opportunity for Malta arrived four minutes later when Alex Satariano advanced unmarked towards Lithuanian goalkeeper Tomas Cepulis. However, his low shot was saved by the tall shot-stopper.
On the half hour mark, Paul Mbong hesitated before hitting a shot with his attempt blocked away for a corner by Ernestas Mockus as the Maltese team began to gain ground.
Six minutes from the end of the first half, Sylla's miscued pass rolled into the feet of Artur Dolznikov but the Malta goalkeeper made amends by beating his effort away for a corner.
Malta equalised seven minutes into the second half courtesy of Satariano who concluded a good move by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli on the right.
On the hour, Satariano had another great opportunity after sweeping past a defender in the box but his shot was saved by Cepulis.
It was all Malta now. Ayrton Attard's shot was blocked by the same Cepulis and from the rebound, Zammit Lonardelli’s effort sailed over the crossbar.
Malta went 2-1 up on 65 minutes after a wonderful set-up by Satariano who sped through the middle of the pitch and served Zammit Lonardelli. The hardworking midfielder passed the ball to Marcus Grima who beat the Lithuania goalkeeper with an audacuous lob for a great goal which gave Malta a deserved lead.
With 10 minutes on the clock, Cepulis tipped an attempt from Grima over the crossbar. From the resultant corner-kick, Christian Gauci headed just wide.
Lithuania pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages.
From a free-kick just outside the box, Mockus’ header from close range in added time completely missed the target while Utkus's attempt in the last second of the match was cleared by Dejan Debono on the goal-line.
Malta: Amara Sylla, Zak Grech, Dejan Debono, Christian Gauci, Adam Magri-Overend, Shawn Dimech, Carlo ZammitLonardelli, (Andrei Spiteri 88’), Marcus Grima, Ayrton Attard, Alex Satariano, (Matthew Portelli 90’), Paul Mbong, (Clyde Bouvet 75’).
Referee: Zaven Hovhannisyan (Armenia).
FRANCE WIN GROUP AFTER BELGIUM DRAW
France and Belgium drew 2-2 in an entertaining, high-quality encounter.
The French forged ahead after eight minutes through Goduine Koyalipou, but Belgium levelled two minutes later with a goal from Matias Lloci.
Five minutes from the break the Belgians were awarded a a penalty, converted by Lois Openda. The French, however, managed to grab the equaliser in the 76th minute thanks to Wilson Isidor.
The draw was enough for both teams to qualify for the Elite Round with France as winners of Group 6 and Belgium as runnersup.