MALTA 1 MONTENEGRO 1
Ray Farrugia's second spell as Malta U-21 coach got off to an encouraging start this evening as his team obtained a creditable 1-1 draw against Montenegro in a friendly match at the Hibs Stadium.
Eyeing a morale-enhancing result ahead of their opening 2013 Euro U-21 Championship qualifiers, Malta looked well on course to obtain a victory.
After taking a fourth-minute lead thanks to captain Rowen Muscat's dipping half-volley, Farrugia's boys were the better team for much of the opening half but missed two clear chances through Leighton Grech and Clyde Borg.
Montenegro appeared to suffer a further blow when Marko Vesovic was shown a straight red by referee Marco Borg for a bad challenge on Luca Martinelli but the visitors regrouped in the second half.
With Malta struggling to keep their first-half momentum, Montenegro increased their pressure and salvaged a draw thanks to Radivoje Golubovic's last-gasp goal.