National cup

National stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) Frenkie de Jong started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Adrian Mallia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Frenkie de Jong's shot from short distance in the 3rd minute. In the 7th minute the ball was on its way in behind Netherlands's goalkeeper Godfried Buskes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Edward Saliba in the 11 minute of the game. Malta's Adrian Mallia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Frenkie de Jong in the 14th minute of play. Giuseppe Preca sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Adrian Mallia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frenkie de Jong, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. 24 minutes into the game, Giuseppe Preca recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Godfried Buskes. Giuseppe Preca showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Godfried Buskes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giuseppe Preca, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 31 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by Frenkie de Jong. An unexpectedly hard shot by Heiko Sibon in the 36th minute of play forced Malta's goalkeeper Adrian Mallia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 39 minutes, Giuseppe Preca mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Malta and the Netherlands players grew even worse after the yellow card. Adrian Mallia came out of the goal in the 41st minute to try and stop a shot by Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong. But to his dismay, Frenkie de Jong quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Giuseppe Preca to strike the kick off in the second half. When Frenkie de Jong came up free with the goalie in the 51st minute, the Netherlands 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 Frenkie de Jong couldn't finish the play. 56 minutes into the game, Giuseppe Preca cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Godfried Buskes was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Adrian Mallia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Frenkie de Jong in the 63rd minute of play. After having played for 65 minutes, Frenkie de Jong managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Frenkie de Jong was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Netherlands made a substitution. Hendrik-Jan Kuijpers replaced Fabian Apotheker. Netherlands made a substitution. Lukas Salens replaced Niels Lans. Netherlands's Huub Evenhuis was substituted for Toni van Steensel. Adrian Mallia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frenkie de Jong, who was totally free with the ball in the 71st minute. Malta's Adrian Mallia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Frenkie de Jong in the 74th minute of play. Edward Saliba made in the 81st minute of the game a quick throw-in and Sebastian Bigeni immediately put the ball in play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Frenkie de Jong in the 83rd 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. After having played for 85 minutes, Frenkie de Jong managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Frenkie de Jong was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Adrian Mallia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Hendrik-Jan Kuijpers, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. In the 91st minute Netherlands were awarded a corner. Marc Overmars went to the cornerflag to take it. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Netherlands eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.