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Malta U-17s chase first points in clash with N. Ireland

Published: 31-10-2017 17:20
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The Malta Under-17 team complete their commitments in the UEFA U-17 Championship Qualifying Mini-Tournament on Wednesday when they meet Northern Ireland at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off 11am). Both Malta and Northern Ireland will be looking for their first points after losing their opening two games against Belgium and Switzerland who will be battling it out for top spot in the other Group 1 match at the National Stadium (11am). The Maltese youngsters were unlucky not to collect their first point on Sunday as they conceded a last-minute goal in a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland. In their opening match, played last Thursday, Malta went down 3-1 to Belgium with Alex Satariano scoring the hosts’ consolation goal. Despite the huge disappointment about conceding a last-gasp goal, coach Silvio Vella is taking positives from the defeat to the Swiss side. He is hoping that his players learn from their last match and channel the frustration into a strong and spirited performance against Northern Ireland. Although Northern Ireland are still without a point, Vella warned that they will be difficult opponents for his team. A number of Maltese players picked up a knock during Sunday’s match but Vella hopes to have a full squad at his disposal for the match against the Irish. With four goals conceded and one scored, Malta have a better goal difference than Northern Ireland who have let in eight goals and scored none. Both teams will be going all out to win on Wednesday and avoid bottom spot in Group 1 which, as expected, has thrown up a final-day decider between Belgium and Switzerland.