Malta suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Belgium in the International Challenge Trophy (Under 23) match last Thursday.

Belgium went ahead quickly in the match with just 12 minutes on the clock. It was their number seven Campos who fired a low shot from outside the area which gave no chance to the Maltese keeper Bonello. Malta could have scored when Christian Caruana hit the goal post with a well placed shot.

Coach Carmel Busuttil effected two substitutions in the second half and the away team continued in its push to grab an equaliser but the Belgian team held the Maltese strikers at bay. In the last 20 minutes the Maltese team continued with their pressing but the home team still managed to grab their win.

All in all it was a very balanced match with Belgium having the upper hand in the first half and Malta being the better team in the second half.

The match was played in constant rain on a very cold day at the K. Wolverton SC ground.

Meanwhile the Malta Under 17 side suffered a third defeat in Group 7 of the EUFA Championship in the tournament at the Pirelli Stadium, in Burton Albion, England.

On Thursday they lost 5-0 to Sweden. Earlier, they had lost 2-0 against Slovakia and 5-0 against England.