Lithuania proved to be too strong a side for the local U21 team as these beat Malta by two clear goals, one in each half to register an easy victory.

The young Malta U21 side was hoping to follow up on their excellent performance last Friday where they managed to draw 2-2 with Ukraine in their encounter against Lithuania. Coach Ronald Vella fielded a basically unchanged formation from that game with Kristensen and Vella starting up front.

The opening minutes were rather quiet with both sides testing each other with long balls and midfield exchanges. But it was Lithuania who opened the score after 26 minutes when from a corner, Dapkus managed to prod past Sultana and into the net. Malta’s reaction was rather poor and on 32 minutes a shot by Vella ended up just wide as a first token.

Vella again came close on 40 minutes with a fine turning shot which however ended up just wide. The same Vella was again in evidence with a hopeful cross shot two minutes later but the ball went wide. On the 45 minute mark, Malta had a good chance to score but the Lithuanians cleared the melee’ from a dangerous position.

Malta started the second half with a fine opportunity from a Kristensen corner but the ball ended up just wide. Unfortunately though it was Lithuania who doubled on 58 minutes when Zulpa rifled a fine shot which easily beat Sultana.

The game went down a gear after that goal with the Lithuanians in total control and Malta appearing rather resigned to their fate. In fact nothing much happened in the next half hour with Lithuania grinding out an easy victory.

Malta Sultana, Martinelli, Muscat, Bugeja, Muscat, Grech (Pisani 73’’), Vella, Borg (Micallef 58’), Kristensen, Gauci, Caruana

Lithuania Zubas, Pilypas, Andrivskivecius, Vilkailitis, Paulius (Miskunis), Zuilpa, Eliosus (Potkus 90’), Chivedukas, Dapkuis, Cernychi, Brokais (Joozaitis 59’)

Goals Dapkus 26’, Zulpa 58’

Yellow cards Kristensen, Zulpa, Andrivskivecius, Eliosus, Chuedukas

Referee V Glodjovic (Serbia)