International Under-18 Friendly
23 March 2025
Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali, Malta
Malta’s Under-18 team narrowly lost 1-0 to Lithuania this afternoon in the second of two friendly matches. The only goal of the game came right at the end of the first half. Last Friday, both sides had drawn 2-2 in a livelier encounter.
This time, the match lacked much excitement, with few chances at either end. Malta struggled to create attacking opportunities against a well-organised Lithuanian defence, made up mostly of players currently with clubs in England and Italy.
MALTA…………0
LITHUANIA…..1
Garbaliauskas 45’
(HT 0-1)
The opening 30 minutes saw both teams cancel each other out. Malta had slightly more of the ball but couldn’t break through. Just before the break, Lithuania found the net when Nedas Garbaliauskas scored from close range after a scramble in the box.
In the 58th minute, Ridas Gramba nearly doubled Lithuania’s lead with a free kick that forced a tough save from Malta goalkeeper Carlos Camilleri. The rest of the game continued in similar fashion, with Malta pushing for an equaliser but rarely troubling Lithuanian keeper Ugnius Semaska.
Despite the defeat, both matches provided a useful test for the Maltese squad and gave the coaching team plenty to assess ahead of future friendlies.
Malta: Carlos Camilleri (Miguel Camilleri 75), Nathan Joyce (Jayden Vella 84), Amin Malik, Luke Bugeja (Nathan Zerafa 62), Sheldon Borg, Dejan Farrugia (Ubada Hijazi 75), Adam Vella (Shaun Xiberras 46), Chris Vella Gonzalez (Thomas Melillo 46), Kai Bartolo (Liam Micallef 62), Jerome Baldacchino (Luca Vella 75), Jake Borg (Emerson Piscopo 62)
Coach: Stefano Grima
Lithuania: Ugnius Semaska, Lukas Klisys, Dovydas Sasnauskas, Dovydas Griska, Emilis Kirliauskas (Matias Angelo Pastori 75), Jordanas Alisaukas (Skirmantas Janunius Paykstc 72), Nojus Petkus, Sidas Pralieika, Ridas Gramba (Matas Ambrazaitis 69), Paulius Urbelionis, Nedas Garbaliauskas
Coach: Mindaugas Cepas
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Yellow Card: Emilis Kirliauskas (Lithuania) 25’
