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Malta U-17 boys lose second friendly match in Italy

Published: 17-06-2018 21:00
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After beating Frosinone 2-0 in the first friendly played last Friday, the Maltese U-17 team conceded a narrow 2-1 defeat against the same opponents in their second warm-up on Sunday. Malta's goal was scored by substitute Ismael Borg. In a hard-fought match, Frosinone were more focused, especially in the first half. They hit the post following a fine save by Maltese goalkeeper Reeves Cini and then forged ahead in the 28th minute with a free-kick from Luciani. Jake Engerer went close for the Maltese team but his free-kick sailed high. In the second half, the Maltese youngsters produced better football and shared the exchanges but Frosinone doubled their lead following a series of corners on 51 minutes. Mattei was on hand to guide the ball home from a corner action. The Maltese side increased their efforts as they looked to find a way back into the game. Engerer was wide with another shot while Luciani was denied by Dylan Ciappara. With six minutes remaining, Malta were unlucky not to reduce the deficit as Gianluca Sciberras's free-kick came off the crossbar. In the dying stages, Noel Turner's boys pulled one back with a well-taken free-kick by substitute Ismael Borg. The training camp in Italy was all in all a fruitful experience for the Maltese boys in their build-up for the UEFA U-17 qualifiers. Malta have been drawn in Group 3 of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round with Austria, Bulgaria and Slovenia. The matches will be played between October 23 and 30. MALTA U-17 FORMATIONReeves Cini, Sheldon Mizzi, Gianluca Borg, Matthew Ellul (captain), Owen Spiteri, Glen Mifsud, Nikolai Farrugia Cross, Jordan Kelly, Emerson Camilleri, Jake Engerer, Mattia Veselji. SUBSTITUTES USEDDylan Ciappara, Jake Bone, Luke Musu, Gianluca Sciberras, Kurt Galea, Ismael Borg, Miguel Tabone.