Malta U-17 team lose to Bulgaria in final UEFA match

Malta U17 …….. 1Bulgaria U17 …. 3 The Malta U17 team concluded their commitments in the UEFA Under-17 Qualifying Group 3 with a 3-1 defeat against Bulgaria at NNC Brdo in Kranj, Slovenia. An early setback for coach Noel Turner and his assistant Mark Marlow with Jake Bone getting injured after 30 minutes. He was replaced by Victor Degiorgio. The Maltese boys began brightly with some good moves despite facing a strong Bulgaria side who slowly started dominating the game. Malta conceded just before the break with Levski Sofia forward Martin Petkov finding the net in the 41st minute. At the start of the second half, the Maltese youngsters showed signs of resilience but it was Bulgaria who struck again in the 73rd minute, once again through Martin Petkov. Malta scored a consolation goal on the stroke of time thanks to Karl Mohnani, but Bulgaria were not finished yet. Martin Petkov completed his hat-trick with a 93rd minute goal to give Bulgaria a 3-1 win. This was the first win for Bulgaria in Group 3 following  defeats against Austria and Slovenia, Malta, who also lost to Austria (0-7), and Slovenia (1-2) suffered three defeats in as many matches. Malta U17 Line Up :- Matthias Debono, Sheldon Mizzi, Ismael Borg, Matthew Ellul, Karl Mohnani, Emerson Camilleri (Gianluca Sciberras 66), Mattia Veselji, Jake Bone (Victor Degiorgio 34), Kurt Briffa (Nikolai Farrugia Cross 66), Owen Spiteri, Jake Engerer.SUBS - Dylan Ciappara, Luke Musu, Jordan Kelly, Isaac Galea, Gianluca Borg, Kurt Desira.