Malta U-19 lose narrowly to the Netherlands

Malta's U-19 team opened their commitments in the European Championship qualifying round Group 10 with a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.

The Maltese youngsters, led by coach Silvio Vella, gave their more-quoted opponents a good run for their money but their hopes of gaining something from the match were dashed by Martin De Roon who scored Holland's winner 17 minutes into the second half.

Lorenzo Burnet's free-kick was met by defender De Roon who guided the ball past Malta goalkeeper Daniel Balzan.

In yesterday's second match, the Czech Republic beat Cyprus 3-1.

Malta's next match is against the Czech Republic tomorrow at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off 2 p.m.). The Netherlands play Cyprus at 11.15 a.m.

Malta: D. Balzan, Y. Cauchi ('75 Q. Bregman), I. Grech, K. Fedele, E. Cauchi ('67 M. Gauci), Y. Camilleri, S. Pisani, R. Muscat, L. Micallef ('84 C. Borg), T. Caruana, M. Tabone.

U-21s face Slovenia

Meanwhile, Malta U-21 will play their fifth match from the European Championship Group 8 this afternoon when they meet Slovenia in Nova Gorica (kick-off 4 p.m.).

Edwin Camilleri's team are still in search of their first point and their first goal in the group and will be hoping to finally break their duck against the Slovenians this afternoon.

Malta's results so far: vs Slovenia (h) 0-2; vs Ukraine (a) 0-1, Belgium (h) 0-2; vs France (h) 0-2.