Late Ireland goals down Malta

The Malta U-19 national team lost their opening match from the U-19 UEFA Championship mini-tournament going down 0-2 to Ireland at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.

Silvio Vella's youngsters did well to contain their more quoted opponents but lost composure in the last ten minutes during which Ireland scored twice through Niall McArdel (80th) and Patrick Madden (87).

The first half belonged to the Maltese who were twice denied by the woodwork following free-kicks from the inspirational Miguel Ciantar who had to leave the pitch injured 17 minutes from time.

Malta's next match is tomorrow against France (kick-off 17.15), also at the Centenary Stadium.

Ireland play Liechtenstein in the opening match of the afternoon (14.45). The tournament comes to a close with two matches to be played simultaneously next Wednesday at the Centenary Stadium and the Hibs Ground.

The 28 teams qualifying from the group phase to the Elite Round will be split into seven groups of four with the top teams, plus hosts, qualifying for next summer's finals in Kiev.

Malta: D. Balzan, T. Fleri Soler, O. Bugeja, J. Xerri, K.P. Farrugia, T. Caruana, R. Muscat, D. Grima, T. Vella (J.P. Farrugia), M. Ciantar (L. Grech), E. Cauchi.

Ireland: K. Thrope, L. Oyebango, K. Gunning, D. Kelly, N. McArdel, C. Clifford, J. Devitt, G. Morrissey, I. Daly, D. McCraory, P. Murphy.

Referee: Dejan Filipovic (Serbia).

Other result: France vs Liechtenstein 4-0.