UNDER-19 OFFICIAL FRIENDLY14.11.2021Ta’ Qali Training GroundsMALTA…3ESTONIA…1(HT 0-1)Vaher 4, Barbara 55, Lehmets (og) 58, Mifsud 85.The Maltese Under-19 team, led by Alessandro Zinnari, played a useful friendly against their Estonian counter-parts, with a team made up of players born in 2004 and 2005. After an early scare, Malta managed to win the match 3-1. The second half was dominated by hosts, settling well after a balanced first half.
Shaisen Attard was close to open the score for the hosts after just two minutes play, but it was Estonia who took the lead two minutes later thanks to a header of centre-back Andres Vaher from a free-kick action. On 19 minutes, striker Mihhail Orlov’s grounder from the edge of the box just missed target. On the half hour mark, Isaiah Micallef’s goal attempt from close-range was turned into a corner by Robin Kane, after some good work on the left wing by Matteo Gambin. Two minutes later, Malta goalkeeper Beppe Mangion reacted well on a deflected shot, turning the danger into a corner. Malta reacted well after the break and turned the encounter around within the first 15 minutes. On 55 minutes, substitute Zak Barbara scored the equaliser from little outside the box, a great goal, after some good work by Malta on the right wing. Three minutes later, Malta took the lead after a corner action, with Estonia player Gregor Lehtmets beating his own goalkeeper. With six minutes regular time left, substitute Jake Grech came close to add another for the hosts after some good pressing on the Estonian half. From the resultant corner-kick, Benjamin Mifud rose high above everyone to head the ball behind goalkeeper Kaupo Kruusmäe, scoring Malta’s third goal in style. Barbara’s scorcher on 89 minutes just missed target. Malta: Beppe Mangion, Sasha Cachia, Andrew Apap-Bologna (Nathan Cope 46), Jake Micallef, Matteo Gambin (Nigel Scerri 84), Miguel Azzopardi (Benjamin Mifsud 62), Jake Vassallo, Lucas Caruana (Jake Grech 57), Shaisen Attard (Jamie Scerri 84), Brooklyn Borg (Zak Barbara 46), Isaiah Micallef (Nathan Cross 57)Coach: Alessandro Zinnari Estonia: Kaupo Kruusmäe, Kener-Mairon Krull (Samuel Merilai 64), Andreas Vaher, Robin Kane, Oliver Niit, Rico Ernits, Robin Tiigiste (Georg Lani 64), Kevin Burov (Jaagop Raudmae 64), Gregor Lehtmets, Aleksander Švedovski, Mihhail Orlov (Georg Vende 64)Coach: Alo Bärengrub Referee: Matthew Degabriele (Malta) Yellow card: Vassallo (M).