National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10301 (Terracing: 7726, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Atanas Chelebiyski made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ashley Pantalleresco in the 3rd minute. Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tonio Buttigieg having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Malin Popovski in the 12th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tonio Buttigieg prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 15 minutes into the game, Francesco Arapa recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Atanas Chelebiyski. Francesco Arapa showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ashley Pantalleresco in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Atanas Chelebiyski prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The U21 Malta fans' excitement grew in the 19th match minute when U21 Malta's Ashley Pantalleresco 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 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 24 minutes into the match, U21 Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Dencho Glishev came free, but Tonio Buttigieg reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, U21 Bulgaria's Totyo Vakarelski got a free kick in the 33rd minute. The audience was convinced that Malin Popovski's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Tonio Buttigieg was relentless in the 46th minute of the game. Af the end of the first half the score was 2-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

When Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev fell near the penalty area in the 53rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Bulgaria's protests and gave Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev a yellow card for diving instead. Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. In the 55th minute of the match U21 Malta got a corner. U21 Bulgaria's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Ugo Filletti ran over to the corner to take the kick. Mikiel Tonna's late challenge caught a U21 Bulgaria's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mikiel Tonna helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of U21 Bulgaria booed when U21 Malta was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mikiel Tonna didn't get a good kick on the ball. Atanas Chelebiyski showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ashley Pantalleresco, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. The supporters of U21 Malta booed when U21 Bulgaria was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Totyo Vakarelski didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 63rd match minute, U21 Bulgaria was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Totyo Vakarelski to maneuver through the defense. Atanas Chelebiyski showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ugo Filletti, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Malta's zone, Parvan Misov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tonio Buttigieg came out of the goal and Parvan Misov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev in the 70th minute of play forced U21 Malta's goalkeeper Tonio Buttigieg to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 72 minutes into the match, U21 Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Malin Popovski came free, but Tonio Buttigieg reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The U21 Bulgaria fans' excitement grew in the 73rd match minute when U21 Bulgaria's Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev 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 2-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Atanas Chelebiyski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rosario Ambinette in the 80th minute of play. Atanas Chelebiyski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Adrian Gafà in the 84th minute of the match. In the 92nd minute Fiobian Salamone shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Atanas Chelebiyski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Fotyo Dyukmedzhiev received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 96th minute. Tonio Buttigieg tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. U21 Malta had played much better football throughout.