The young Maltese lads produced an impressive victory in yesterday’s evening encounter against Lithuania’s Under 18 by three goals to one. It was sweet revenge for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat where Malta played well but were unlucky to go down by the odd goal in three.
The Maltese boys dominated for large stretches during the first half and took the lead on 14 minutes when Thomas Melillo capitalized on a Lithuanian defensive mistake, drilling home top corner from just inside the box. Up to that point, both sides produced one goalscoring opportunity, with the locals slowly taking the initiative.
On 28 minutes, Adrian Lickunas was sent away on the right flank but missed target with only Scicluna to beat. Six minutes later, Mantas Monkelis headed just wide from a free-kick action, with the guests now seriously pushing for an equaliser. Another Lickunas drive on 38 minutes was saved by Scicluna, but it was Malta who doubled four minutes later when Kydin Hili tapped home a Keyon Ewurum cross after another splendid home-side attack.
On the hour, Ewurum should have scored Malta’s third from a swift counter-attack with only Lysionok to beat but the Lithuanian goalkeeper blocked splendidly. But on 62 minutes, captain Kean Scicluna headed Malta’s third past Lysionok from an excellent Delicata corner-kick.
On 65 minutes on the other side, Scicluna blocked another close-range Garbaliauskas effort in style to keep his net in-tact. Ten minutes later however, centre-back Lukas Klysis headed past Scicluna from a free-kick action, which signalled a late rally towards the Maltese goal.
The enterprising Garbaliauskas came again close on 80 minutes bit aimed too high from inside the six-yard box. On the other side, substitute Felippe Bugeja could have added Malta’s fourth five minutes later but his close-range attempt failed to find target. Two minutes later, Lithuania were awarded a penalty when Hili brought down Lukas Jonaitis in the box but Garbaliaskas kicked the spot-kick high over the bar.
