National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10319 (Terracing: 7740, Seating: 2373, VIP seats: 206) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Vionis Spahiu started the match with the kick off. A collision led to U21 Albania getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Zihni Daku hit a great ball. Mark Caruana Curran made an important save on a dangerous shot by Mujo Curri in the 14th minute. After 16 minutes, Kevin Nowell made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. U21 Albania's Fotaq Strakosha tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 26th minute, Michael Refalo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 30th minute, Kevin Nowell managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Malta's supporters rose to their feet, but Kevin Nowell was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fotaq Strakosha breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience was convinced that Kevin Nowell's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fotaq Strakosha was relentless in the 32nd minute of the game. In the 36th minute, Mujo Curri left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The U21 Albania fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. In the 40thth minute of the game Mujo Curri who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Malta's Mark Caruana Curran was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Fotaq Strakosha showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kurt Schembri, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Kevin Nowell was the one to do the kick off. In the 52nd minute Michael Refalo collided with an opponent which caused him a fractured collar bone. Jeton Noka's late challenge caught a U21 Malta's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jeton Noka helped the player get up and apologised. U21 Malta made a substitution. Indrì Fonk replaced Michael Refalo. Jeton Noka kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. Kevin Nowell sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 60 played minutes U21 Albania got a freekick which was hit by Neritian Ahmeti. A hard shot 64 in the game by Kevin Nowell from a close distance when the talented Fotaq Strakosha managed to make a qualified save. U21 Albania's players were relieved. In the 71st match minute, U21 Malta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kevin Nowell to maneuver through the defense. After 72 played minutes U21 Malta got a freekick which was hit by Kevin Nowell. In the 77th match minute, U21 Malta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jordan Albertis to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 78th minute, Engjëll Lufta managed to get in a good position for a shot. U21 Albania's supporters rose to their feet, but Engjëll Lufta was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Mark Caruana Curran breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Aaron Bonniċi kicked well hit freekick during the 81st minute of the match. Alfred Mallia Tabone's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 88thth minute, Fotaq Strakosha skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. The supporters of U21 Malta booed when U21 Albania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Neritian Ahmeti didn't get a good kick on the ball.