Late goal denies Malta U-21

Malta 1
Vella 31
Wales 1
Robson-Kanu 81

Hal Robson-Kanu’s late goal denied Malta U-21 from registering a morale-boosting win as the hosts had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Wales at the National Stadium yesterday.

The Maltese looked set to go into next month’s European Championship against France on a high when Terrence Vella put his team ahead when he powered the ball home from a John Mintoff cross.

But Robson-Kanu exercised his neck muscles to get his head to a free-kick by Neil Taylor and arched a header beyond the reach of substitute Nicky Vella to avoid a humiliating defeat for his team.

The presence of new MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo on the stands inevitably claimed most of the attention before the match got under way.

But once the match started all the attention turned on the pitch as Wales were the more fluent side and were unlucky not to be ahead after 15 minutes when Robson-Kanu went close to open the score with a header which thudded against the bar from Mark Bradley’s free-kick.

On the half hour, Tyrone Farrugia drilled a low shot that required a quick change of feet and a solid save by Wales goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

Malta surged forward again 60 seconds later, Mintoff broke free down the right flank and sent in a teasing cross, catching the Welsh defence flat footed and Vella powered a header past the keeper.

However, Wales fought back and Joe Partington stung the fingers of Henry Bonello with a powerful header after 42 minutes.

This was a good spell for the Welsh side. On the stroke of half-time, Robson-Kanu struck a free-kick that sliced through the Malta wall but drifted just wide of goal.

But the Maltese players continued to grow in confidence after the break and Joseph Zerafa volleyed across the face of goal on the 51st minute after some good footwork by substitute Miguel Ciantar.

Edwin Camilleri’s side was playing with plenty of spirit and did not look like a side which is currently bottom of Group 8 with no points from seven matches.

Steve Borg and Ryan Camilleri were playing well at the back while up front Vella was putting in his usual solid shift.

But the Welsh side stepped up the pressure and Bonello was cutting a commanding figure between the posts. Midway through the second half, Elliott Chamberlain’s low shot forced Bonello into a good save.

It was Wales who were now in control. Wales coach Brian Flynn made six changes after the interval, the most significant of which were the introduction of Chamberlain, Thomas Bender and Jonathan Williams.

After 73 minutes, Bonello had to be at his best to dive full length and tip away a swerving Williams effort.

The Welsh pressed hard in the closing quarter and their efforts were finally rewarded nine minutes from time.

Robson-Kanu scored with a diving header after full-back Neil Taylor raced down the left flank and delivered a perfect cross at the near post to end Malta’s hopes of a laboured yet prestigious win over Wales.

Malta
H. Bonello (‘77 N. Vella), S. Borg, R. Camilleri, R. Chetcuti (‘46 M Ciantar), T. Farrugia, J. Mintoff, G. Muscat, M. Scerri, D. Pisani, T. Vella (‘67 M Grioli), J. Zerafa.

Wales
J. Bond (46’ D Cornell), A. Richards (46’ D. Alfei), N. Taylor, M. Bradley (46’ L.Lucas), D. Stephens (53’ T. Bender), A. Morris, B. Bodin, J. Partington ( ‘61 J Williams), H. Robson-Kanu, J. Taylor (46’ E Chamberlain), S. Macdonald.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Bender, Muscat, Borg.