Malta 1
Borg 11
Liechtenstein 0
A first half goal scored by Steve Borg earned Malta U-21 a merited win over Liechtenstein in a friendly at the National Stadium.
Despite missing several regular players, Mark Miller's team produced a dominant display which saw them create countless goalscoring chances but in the end had to settle for a marginal victory that will boost their confidence ahead of their final Euro Championship qualifier against France next month.
Dyson Falzon was Malta's best performer yesterday as his distribution of the ball created several opening for his team's forwards.
Miller yesterday gave a debut to goalkeeper Jurgen Micallef while Tyron Farrugia and Borg formed Malta's central defensive partnership. Edmond Agius, Andrei Agius and Clayton Failla were hard-working figures in midfield with Falzon supporting strikers Ian Zammit and Angus Buhagiar.
It was Liechtenstein who created the first chance of the match when after eight minutes Philippe Eme was first to a Stefan Buchel cross but his effort was blocked and from the rebound Seyhan Yildiz shot wide.
Malta soon responded and on 11 minutes they took the lead. Falzon's corner was ably met by Borg who beat Liechtenstein goalkeeper Cengiz Bicer with a firm header.
On 28 minutes, Malta keeper Micallef effected a good save when keeping out Seyhan Yildiz's shot.
Seven minutes from the break Marco Vogeli failed to connect to a Buchel free-kick while at the other end Andrei Agius's firm shot was blocked by Bicer.
Malta should have doubled their lead on the hour when Edward Herrera's shot was partially blocked by Bicer and from the rebound Warren Chircop hit over.
Failla was unlucky not to make it 2-0 when his long range shot came off the post.
A minute from time the woodwork again denied Malta when Borg's header hit the upright.
The match ended on a bad note for the Maltese when substitute Joseph Zerafa was sent off for dissent in stoppage time.
Malta
J. Micallef ('46 N. Vella), E. Herrera ('84 D. Pisani), C. Failla, A. Agius, T. Farrugia, S. Bezzina, S. Borg, E. Agius ('46 R. Camilleri), I. Zammit ('68 J. Zerafa), A. Buhagiar ('46 W. Chircop), D. Falzon ('92 C. Pulo).
Liechtenstein
C. Bicer, M. Vogeli, M. Wille ('83 A. Haber), M. Vecj, M. Rechsteiner, A. Christen, F. Ok ('79 L. Eberle), D. Spalt ('77 V. Flatz), P. Eme, S. Buchel, S. Yildiz ('84 O. Spalt).
Referee: Marco Borg.
Yellow cards: Wille, Failla, Zerafa, Chircop, Vogeli, Beck.
Red card: Zerafa 91.