National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10319 (Terracing: 7740, Seating: 2373, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Vionis Spahiu made the kick off which started today's match. Keith Maistre made a fantastic save in the 3rd minute, when Mujo Curri sent off a good shot on target. In the 6th minute Alfred Mallia Tabone shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fotaq Strakosha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The U21 Malta fans' excitement grew in the 12th match minute when U21 Malta's Alfred Mallia Tabone looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alfred Mallia Tabone in the 15th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fotaq Strakosha prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Fotaq Strakosha came out of the goal in the 21st minute to try and stop a shot by U21 Malta's Alfred Mallia Tabone. But to his dismay, Alfred Mallia Tabone quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. In the 25th minute, Mujo Curri got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. With his leg Keith Maistre managed to avoid a goal in the 28thth minute, when U21 Albania's Mujo Curri fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Mujo Curri recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 43 minutes into the game, Tarcisio Falzon was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Malta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Albania the free kick. In the 43rd minute, Tarcisio Falzon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

The wind increased when Klinsmann Albertis made the kick off in the second half. When Mujo Curri came up free with the goalie in the 50th minute, the U21 Albania fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Mujo Curri couldn't finish the play. 54 minutes into the game, one of U21 Albania:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. The supporters of U21 Malta booed when U21 Albania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jeton Noka didn't get a good kick on the ball. Mujo Curri kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. In the 66th match minute, U21 Albania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mujo Curri to maneuver through the defense. Gazi Angjo charged in rather forcefully in the 70th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Gazi Angjo the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. U21 Malta's Joseph Gravagna was substituted for Carlos Cousin. U21 Malta made a substitution. Mark Lanfranco replaced Alfred Mallia Tabone. In the 73rd minute there was a penalty for U21 Malta. Tarcisio Falzon stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Fotaq Strakosha. 0-3. Keith Maistre showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vionis Spahiu in the 77th minute of the match. Indrì Fonk hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Keith Maistre made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Engjëll Lufta in the 79th minute of play. After having played for 81 minutes, Vionis Spahiu managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. U21 Albania's supporters crossed their fingers, but Vionis Spahiu was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a rather tough play, U21 Malta's Indrì Fonk got a free kick in the 82nd minute. Vionis Spahiu struck a weak shot in the 83rd minute. Keith Maistre didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Albania. 84 minutes into the game, Kurt Schembri was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Malta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Albania the free kick. A collision led to U21 Malta getting a freekick after 84 minutes play. Kurt Schembri hit a great ball. Klinsmann Albertis blasted a shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Fotaq Strakosha having to make a save. 95 minutes into the match, U21 Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Klinsmann Albertis came free, but Fotaq Strakosha reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Albania's Fotaq Strakosha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Klinsmann Albertis in the 98th minute of play. The U21 Malta players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.