National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Reiner Fallas made the kick off and thus started the match. Lucas Loaiza made a fantastic save in the 6th minute, when Giuseppe Preca sent off a good shot on target. Giuseppe Preca fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lucas Loaiza having to interfere. Adrian Mallia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Johan Loria, who was totally free with the ball in the 13th minute. Malta were awarded a corner in the 18th minute after Costa Rica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Tyron Sapiano took the corner. The corner led Malta's Tyron Sapiano to fire away a dangerous shot which Lucas Loaiza despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Lucas Loaiza showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Dejan Cassar, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dejan Cassar in the 27th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Lucas Loaiza to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Malta's Adrian Mallia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Johan Loria in the 34th minute of play. 36 minutes into the game, Costa Rica's Reiner Fallas nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Adrian Mallia made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Adrian Mallia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Uriel Morales in the 41st minute of play. In the 42nd minute, Johan Loria hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to Malta getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Martin Bonnici hit a great ball. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Johan Loria got a free kick in the 47th minute. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Giuseppe Preca made a kick off. Dejan Cassar fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lucas Loaiza having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Reiner Fallas in the 58th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Adrian Mallia prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Terence Cesareo struck a weak shot in the 60th minute. Lucas Loaiza didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Malta. Lucas Loaiza made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Peter Paul Bezzina in the 61st minute of play. 63 minutes into the match, Johan Loria notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Malta's Adrian Mallia. Adrian Mallia was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Terence Cesareo in the 66th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Lucas Loaiza to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Malta's Adrian Mallia got control of the ball when Reiner Fallas tried to sneak it across the goal line. Adrian Mallia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Johan Loria in the 71st minute of the match. In the 75th minute Terence Cesareo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lucas Loaiza saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 76 minutes, Dejan Cassar made it 1-2 with a short kick to the right side. Costa Rica's Lucas Loaiza tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Peter Paul Bezzina sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Giuseppe Preca in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lucas Loaiza saved Costa Rica from getting behind. Tyron Sapiano hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. Reiner Fallas struck a weak shot in the 85th minute. Adrian Mallia didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Costa Rica. Cid Molina charged in rather forcefully in the 90th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Cid Molina the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Adrian Mallia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Johan Loria in the 94th minute of play. Adrian Mallia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Johan Loria in the 95th minute of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Costa Rica eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.