National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Sebastian Zarb kicked off to start the match. U21 Venezuela's Xavian Carpio played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sebastian Zarb in the 6th minute of play. A hard shot 7 in the game by Colon Valls from a close distance when the talented Saviour Maurin managed to make a qualified save. U21 Malta's players were relieved. A collision led to U21 Malta getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Dennis Crockford hit a great ball. Xavian Carpio stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Sebastian Zarb's shot from short distance in the 10th minute. When U21 Venezuela's Silviano Laguillo in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Malta's goalie prevented a goal. In the 24th match minute, U21 Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Frederik Sande to maneuver through the defense. Colon Valls could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 29th minute of the match, but Saviour Maurin made a huge save. 30 minutes into the match, U21 Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Carmel Cauchi Inglott came free, but Xavian Carpio reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Colon Valls fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Saviour Maurin having to interfere. Saviour Maurin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lucas Lewandowski, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. Colon Valls sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Colon Valls to strike the kick off in the second half. U21 Venezuela's Silviano Laguillo got a good chance for a goal in the 61st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sebastian Zarb in the 62nd minute of play forced U21 Venezuela's goalkeeper Xavian Carpio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lucas Lewandowski sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 75th minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Malta's goalkeeper Saviour Maurin, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Alfred Zarb kicked well hit freekick during the 76th minute of the match. In the 81st minute, Juanito Mobilla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Lucas Lewandowski kicked well hit freekick during the 85th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Sebastian Zarb got free with Xavian Carpio in the 86th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Saviour Maurin came out of the goal in the 89th minute to try and stop a shot by U21 Venezuela's Colon Valls. But to his dismay, Colon Valls quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. U21 Venezuela had won after a very even match.