UEFA UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP C29.03.2022, Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali, MaltaMALTA…1LITHUANIA…3(HT 0-0)0-1 Christian Gauci (o.g.) 64, 1-1 Joseph Zammit 78, 1-2 Deividas Dovydiatis 80, 1-3 Faustas Steponavicius 90+3.The Malta Under-21 team did not manage to get a positive performance this afternoon, bowing down to Lithuania in a frustrating match for the Maltese. Beforehand, with Lithuania having only obtained three points so far in this qualification group, the expectations were that the hosts could stand a chance against the Lithuanians, but their early pressing throughout the match, combined with a solid defence, proved to be too much of a burden for Gilbert Agius’ side.
Compared to Malta’s last outing at U21 level, the 2-0 away win in Northern Ireland last November, coach Gilbert Agius changed his team on only two positions, both in the forward line. Valletta’s Andrea Zammit and Paul Mbong, who was drafted in from the senior squad, replaced Jamie Carbone and Jake Ghio. It was a balanced goalless first half with slightly more ball possession for the guests but the better changes were definitely for Malta. After only three minutes play, Mbong was close to open the score but his close-range effort was blocked by the Lithuanian custodian. On the half hour, an Andrea Zammit attempt from just outside the area sailed inches wide over the crossbar. An Ayrton Attard grounder on 37 minutes after a neat built-up was paraded by Baliutavicius without much problems. The Lithuanian goalkeeper was called back into action once more on the stroke of half-time, saving another Attard shot from outside the box. Lithuania started the second half very well and created their first goalscoring opportunity on 53 minutes, with Motiejus Bruba blasting high from an ideal position. Just after the hour, Cain Formosa performed a great save on a Nauris Petkevicius header, which the San Gwann custodian turned brilliantly into a corner. On 64 minutes, the Maltese defence finally bulged under the Lithuanian pressure when Christian Gauci committed an unfortunate own goal from a Gvidas Gineits cross. On 78 minutes however, Malta drew level thanks to a goal by newcomer Joseph Zammit, who entered the fray four minutes before and rounded off a wonderful Mbong through pass from close range. But two minutes later, Lithuania regained the lead thanks to a strike by substitute Deividas Dovydaitis, who beat Formosa with a grounder. Deep into stoppage time, with Malta all out to force an equaliser, the guests put the result beyond doubt with another substitute, Faustas Steponavicius, rounding off a fast counter-attack after some good work by Dovydiatis. Malta will play another two qualification matches in June, first at home to Slovakia and then an away match against Spain, which should round off this qualification sequence, pending on a FIFA decision what the outcome will be of the matches involved with Russia. MaltaCain Formosa, Andreas Vella, Matthew Ellul, Christian Gauci, Carlo Zammit-Lonardelli, Marcus Grima, Aleandro Garzia, Ayrton Attard (Jean-Paul Attard 81), Paul Mbong, Jake Engerer (Joseph Zammit 74), Andrea Zammit (Jed Valletta 81)Coach: Gilbert Agius LithuaniaGustas Baliutavicius, Gustas Zabita, Artemijus Tutyskinas, Vilius Armalas, Dovydas Jansomas, Artur Dolznikov (Deividas Dovydaitis 69), Emilis Gasiunas, Gvidas Gineitis, Tomas Kalinauskas (Benas Anisas 76), Nauris Petkevicius (Faustas Steponavicius 83), Motiejus Burba (Kritupas Kersys 83)Coach: Marius Stankevicius Referee: Thorvaldur Arnason (Iceland) Cautions: Engerer, Gauci, Ellul (M); Gineitis (L)