Malta U21 2
Ukraine U21 2
An injury time goal by skipper Rowen Muscat enabled Malta to squeeze a point from yesterday’s clash against Ukraine at the Gozo Stadium.
The Ukrainians appeared heading for a minimal victory but the Maltese, who were dominated for most of the match, fought back to level matters in the dying moments of the match.
There was great jubilation among the few fans who bothered to watch the match in Gozo.
In the first half the Ukrainians held an edge over Farrugia’s boys. Chaikovskii and Bezus proved to be more than a handful for the locals who were forced on the defensive.
Goalie Sultana was at fault in Ukraine’s opening goal, but when Malta replied immediately afterwards with an equaliser, the reds failed to keep their concentration and a defensive lapse enabled the Ukrainians to regain the lead soon after.
Ukraine held the edge in midfield – it was no surprise - as our defenders often kicked the ball upfield foolishly giving it back to their opponents.
In the second half, the Ukrainians continued to dominate and although they never appeared dangerous as they were in the opening half, they were never in danger of losing any point from this encounter.
The match had an explosive start with the three goals being scored in the opening 13 minutes.
Ukraine took the lead unexpectedly on the ninth minute. In a fast counterattack, Shakhov sent a long ball towards Bezus and with Sultana late in his sortie, the Ukrainian found no difficulty in lobbing the ball over the goalie and into the net.
Their joy was, however, shortlived as Malta drew level immediately through Terence Vella, who received a good ball flrom Ciantar, went round the goalie and placed the ball into the untenanted net.
Three minutes later, the Ukrainians were again in the lead. And it was again Bezus who received the ball in Malta’s area. He avoided three tackles before hitting home past a surprised Sultana.
Malta replied with two dangerous crosses by Leighton Grech, but the goalie twice palmed the ball away.
Ukraine went close again on 35 minutes when a shot by Putrash was blocked by Yessour Camilleri to a corner.
At the other end, a good move by Ciantar, Vella and Grech ended with the latter’s shot going over.
Ukraine started the second half again on attack and on the fourth minute, from a corner by Bogdanov, it was Mikhailov who tested Sultana seriously, but the goalie turned to corner in style.
On the 55th minute, a dangerous cross by Chaikovskii ended with Camilleri, harassed by Plastun, heading towards his own goal, but Sultana was well placed to save with ease.
On the 75th minute, Sultana was again called into action saving a low, central shot from Shakhov, while two minutes later, he denied Mikhaliov.
Until then, Malta failed to produce a single, decent effort as the Ukrainians were well in control at the back.
But two minutes from the final whistle – in the second of four added minutes – Malta got the equaliser. It was a long ball from the back which found Rowen Muscat advancing on goal unhindered, lobbing the ball over the goalie and into the Ukrainian net.
Just before the final whistle, the referee showed a red card to Malta coach Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia, but there was no stopping the local boys from celebrating the point they won, even in the dressing room.
Malta: S. Sultana, L. Martinelli, Z. Muscat, O. Bugeja (KP Farrugia), R. Muscat, L. Grech, T. Vella (L. Micallef), M. Ciantar, Y. Camilleri, C. Borg (T. Caruana), B. Kristensen.
Ukraine: M. Koval, I. Putrash, S. Kryvtsov, V. Pryymg, I. Chaikovskii, R. Bezus, I. Mikhaliov, I. Shakhov, I. Plastun, A. Bogdanov (O. Karavaev), I. Oliynik.
Referee: S. Tritsonis (Greece).
Asst. refs: G. Panou, D. Tatsis (Greece).
4th official: A. Kakos (Greece).
Scorers: R. Bezus (9, 13), T. Vella (10), R. Muscat (90)
Yellow cards: T. Caruana, Y. Camilleri, M. Ciantar, R. Bezus, I. Putrash, I. Oliynik.