ALBANIA         2

MALTA            0

The Malta U-21 national team suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Albania in the first of two international appointments against the Balkan side, at the Selman Stermasi Stadium in Tirana, on Friday.

This was the first match for Silvio Vella’s new look side as they step up their preparations for the upcoming qualifying campaign which gets under way in March 2019.

Vella handed a debut to Conner Zammit (Hibernians), Nicholas Pulis (Valletta), Bradley Schembri (Ħamrun Spartans), Jan Busuttil (Pietá Hotspurs), Zach Brincat (Mosta) and Jamie Zerafa (FK Indija, Serbia).

Albania made their intentions clear from the starting whistle as they pushed numbers forward in an attempt to draw first blood early in the game.

After 15 minutes, goalkeeper Andreas Vella was forced to keep out a long-range shot Rubin Hebaj.

Malta threatened ten minutes later. Brincat connected with a Myles Beerman cross from the left-hand side, but his header sailed over the bar.

Nonetheless, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock.

Showing great vision, Omar Imeri notched the ball towards the unmarked Sherif Kallaku on the left channel. The latter sent an inviting cross towards Hebaj and Albania’s no. 9 fired a low drive beyond Vella.

On the brink of half-time, Albania all but sealed the win when they awarded a penalty after Michele Sansone tripped his opponent in the penalty box.

Imeri converted from the spot as Malta trailed by two goals after the first 45 minutes.

Albania overcame Malta's challenge in Tirana.Albania overcame Malta's challenge in Tirana.

After the interval, Albania remained the better team and came close to a third goal when Esat Mala let fly a distant shot only to be denied by the crossbar.

The hosts, whose squad was composed of players playing in Italy, Belgium and Denmark, continued to dominate territory and on the hour mark, Kolaj Aristidi attempted his luck from outside the area but Vella was alert to avert the danger.

Midway into the second half, coach Vella handed Joseph Vella, of Victoria Hotspurs, his first appearance with the U-21 side.

From then on, the scoreline remained unchanged and Malta will now eye a better result against the same opponents at the Loro Borici Stadium, on Monday.

MALTA: A. Vella; J. Borg, J. Busuttil, M. Guillaumier, M. Sansone, C. Zammit, B. Schembri (60. J. Vella), N. Pulis, M. Beerman (75 A. Borg), Z. Brincat, J. Zerafa (85 D. Xuereb).

Referee: Xhaja Juxhin (Albania

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