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Brave Malta U-19s hit back to draw against Azerbaijan

Published: 06-09-2019 00:20
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U-19 FRIENDLY MATCH – 05/09/2019MALTA U-19            2AZERBAIJAN U-19 2 The Malta Under-19 team came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Azerbaijan in a friendly match played at the Malta FA Training Grounds in Ta' Qali on Thursday. Azerbaijan took a 2-0 lead with a goal in each half but the resilient hosts forced a bold comeback to level matters with two late goals. The visiting team scored from their first attempt on target. Malta goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia blocked a Rzayev attempt but from the rebound, Rufat Abdullazada tapped home from close in. Rzayev and Abullazada were denied by the alert Maltese goalkeeper with Malta going close to scoring an equaliser when Paul Mbong’s shot hit the post seven minutes from the end of the first half. Glenn Attard threatened for Malta with a blazing shot 12 minutes into the second half while Azerbaijan replied through Garahmadov header. With 21 minutes remaining, Azerbaijan increased their lead thanks to a strong shot from captain Turan Valizada that had the better of goalkeeper Farrugia. Despite being two goals down, Malta, led by coach Winston Muscat, refused to give up. Their efforts were rewarded as, with six minutes left, captain Shaun Dimech served Alexander Satariano who beat goalkeeper Arazli with a low diagonal shot. In the dying minutes, Dimech completed Malta’s fightback by scoring the equaliser. MALTAC. Farrugia, C. Zammit Lonardelli (86 S. Mizzi), A. Vella A (83 I. Borg), G. Attard, C. Gauci, S. Dimech, A. Satariano, B. Sciberras (67 K. Mohnani), J. Ghio (83 J.P. Attard), M. Veselji (75 R. Tonna), P. Mbong. AZERBAIJANA. Arazli , M. Sahin, E. Ibrahimov (74 K. Muradov), M. Mammadov (68 E. Kaplan), N. Guliyev, T. Bayramov (44 I. Zulfugarli), T. Valizada (74 I. Ingilabli), A. Garahamadov, R. Abdullazada (63 S. Gurbanov ), S. Abdullazada (74 T. Isazada), V. Rzayev (70 S. Maharramli). SECOND FRIENDLY – 07/09/2019The second friendly match between the Malta and Azerbaijan Under-19 teams ended goalless on Saturday. The game, played at the MFA Training Grounds, was a hard-fought affair with both teams having their fair share of opportunities. Both Malta and Azerbaijan finished the match with 10 men. Alex Satariano was sent off for the Maltese team in the first half. These friendly matches are part of the Malta U-19 team's build-up for their UEFA U-19 Championship qualifiers against Italy, Cyprus and Slovakia in November. MALTA'S STARTING FORMATIONA. Sylla, C. Zammit Lonardelli, A. Vella, G. Attard, C. Gauci, S. Dimech, A. Satariano, J. Ghio, J. Sixsmith, P. Mbong, R. Tonna.