Malta’s U21 side were thoroughly outclassed on Tuesday night as Georgia strolled to a 5-0 win in Ta’ Qali, exposing the hosts’ defensive frailties and lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
Despite a few brief moments of intent, Malta were second best throughout, unable to cope with Georgia’s pace, pressing, and clinical finishing.
From the outset, Georgia looked the more organised and dangerous side. In just the second minute, they forced a save from James Sissons after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Malta tried to grow into the match, but their efforts lacked real threat. A half-chance from Keyon Ewurum and a missed opportunity from Basil Tuma were the best they could offer before Georgia took full control.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a poor Maltese corner led to a rapid counterattack. With the defence caught out and Sissons out of position, Saba Kharebashvili calmly slotted the ball home.
Seven minutes later, Malta’s defence switched off again, allowing Nikoloz Dadiani to break free and smash in Georgia’s second just before the break.
The second half offered little hope for a turnaround. Malta briefly threatened through Tuma, but even then, a golden chance went begging after the Georgian goalkeeper’s error wasn’t punished.
Georgia punished Malta’s ongoing sloppiness in the 68th minute with a stunning strike from Giorgi Tabatadze, and just three minutes later Aleksandre Narimanidze added a fourth with a simple header from a corner, highlighting Malta’s poor marking.
The humiliation was completed in the 81st minute when Aleko Basiladze ran straight through Malta’s left side before slotting in a fifth.
Malta battled to the end but barely troubled the Georgian keeper, failing even to grab a consolation goal. The final whistle confirmed a sobering 5-0 loss, raising serious questions about Malta’s readiness at this level.
Malta: James Sissons (GK), Finley Ging ( Sven Xerri, 46’), Shaisen Attard, Jake Grech ( Nathan Cross, 46’), Kean Scicluna, Keyon Ewurum, Andrew Borg ( Bjorn Buhagiar, 90+1’), Jake Micallef (C), Jake Azzopardi, Benjamin Hili, Basil Tuma
Coach: Davide Mazzotta
Georgia: Mikheil Makatsaria (GK), Dato Bukia, Aleksandre Narimanidze, Saba Kharebashvili, Luka Tsulukidze ( Dachi Lordkipanidze, 76’), Irakli Egoyan, Diego Deisadze ( David Gotsiridze, 69’), Luka Latsabidze (C), Gurami Japaridze ( Aleko Basiladze, 76’), Nikoloz Dadiani, Giorgi Tabatadze ( Luka Parkadze, 69’)
Coach: Ramaz Svanadze
Referee: Johann Ingi Jonsson (ISL)
