UNDER-17 FRIENDLYCentenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali, 06.03.2022MALTA…3GEORGIA…1(HT 1-0)1-0 Sean Gatt 4', 1-1 Luka Parkadze 66, 2-1 Lucas Caruana 78, 3-1 Ensell Attard 83Malta obtained a hard-earned win in an Under-17 Friendly on Sunday morning at the Centenary Stadium, beating their Georgian counterparts 3-1. It was another useful test for Ivan Woods’ side, who last month went on a training camp in North Macedonia and now faced a talented Georgia youth side, who pressed hard in the second half to put the result in their favour. But with the score 1-1, the home lads responded well and forged out a late rally, adding two goals in the final 15 minutes to turn the tide.
Before the start of the match, a banner was rolled out in support towards the citizens of the Ukraine, a war which is hitting the headlines lately. This was also much appreciated by the Georgian visitors, who border Russia and obviously feel the heat become nearer. Ivan Woods opted to give Mosta goalkeeper Luca Camilleri his full debut between the sticks. In the last part of the match, also Hamrun Spartans player Trezeguet Zammit made his debut for the Malta Under-17s, coming on as a late substitute. The hosts took an early fourth minute late when Sean Gatt was alert to punish a mistake by Soso Kopalaini, heading the ball behind the Georgian goalkeeper after he failed to hold on to the ball on the goal line. Malta had a few more opportunities in the first half through Zak Barbara and Matthias Fenech, while on the other side, a free header from Aleko Basiladze from a corner action was saved well by Camilleri. On the resumption, Luka Parkadze was sent through but Camilerri was on the alert to neutralise his goal attempt. Five minutes later Parkadze, once more, was close to equalise but Camilleri turned his close-range attempt into a corner. But on 66 minutes, Parkadze scored a deserved equaliser for the guests, beating Camilleri with a grounder after being sent through in the middle. Much to the credit of the hosts, Malta pushed back the Georgians into their own half during the final 15 minutes, forcing out a winner. The leading goal arrived on 78 minutes. Gatt was served in the box, who cleverly served the unmarked Lucas Caruana who drilled he ball in the back of the net, a great goal. Five minutes later, the hosts put the outcome of the match beyond doubt with substitute Ensell Attard adding the third goal for Malta from the edge of the box, beating the Georgian goalkeeper for a third time. On Tuesday morning, Malta will face Georgia in a second Under-17 Friendly at same venue with a kick-off time of 11h30. Malta: Luca Camilleri, Kaiden Fenech (Isaiah Chukunyere 91), Kian Vella, Sven Xerri, Iven Farrugia, Josiah Mallia, Matthias Fenech (Timothy Cachia 62), Lucas Caruana, Sean Gatt, Russell Caruana (Trezeguet Zammit 91), Zak Barbara (Ensell Attard 73)Coach: Ivan Woods Georgia: Soso Kopaliani, Daviti Gogichaishvili (Niko Tsetskhladze 46), Dachi Lordkipanidze, Tengo Alibegashvili (Nikoloz Ninidze 46), Saba Kharchilava, Aleksandre Narimanidze, Giorgi Robakidze, Aleko Basiladze (Lasha Gadilia 46), Luka Parkadze, Demetre Tskikolia, Giorgi Tabatadze Coach: George Chitauri Referee: Alex Johnson (Malta)More match details on:https://matchcentre.mfa.com.mt/match/7450687