Malta 0
Bosnia & Herz. 0
Malta: A. Vella, J. Borg, C. Zammit, M. Sansone, N. Pulis, ZK Grech, M. Beerman, A. Friggieri (A. Attard 68), J. Busuttil (N. Frendo 68), Z. Brincat (O. Elouni 89)
Bosnia & Herz.: K. Topolovic (A. Kanuric 58), H. Sabanovic, J. Celikovic, V. Vrhovac (R. Sadiku (58), A. Beganovic, H. Hajdarevic, M. Brkic (M. Stanic 58), P. Bojo (J. Motika 68), Z. Mustedanagic, B. Hadzic (N. Nikolic 80), N. Mulahusejnovic (S. Juric 68)
Referee: Nathan Verboomen (Belgium)
Asst. Refs: M. Scerri, R. Vella
4th official: M. Degabriele
Yellow cards: J. Busuttil 29, Z. Mustedanagic 39, V. Vrhovac 52, K. Shaw
Malta and Bosnia figured in a goalless draw yesterday in a friendly match at the National Stadium.
It was a fair result in a match mostly dominated by the Bosnian side but in which the Maltese youngsters showed a lot of courage and even created some good scoring chances.
In the first half, Malta was playing against the wind and Bosnia obviously saw more of the ball.
But despite all, it was Malta who created the best chances, even being unlucky through Zachary Brincat who had a shot hitting the upright. Brincat was one of Malta's best performers even if he was somewhat isolated, especially in the second half - he proved to be a thorn in the Bosnian defence.
The Maltese were well organised at the back where Jean Borg, Connor Zammit, Zachary Grech, Jean Borg and Nicholas Pulis were almost unbeatable stopping many a Bosnian attack.
In the second half, Bosnia took over the midfield sector and forced Malta to defend for long stretches even though they struggled to create openings with goalie Vella rarely in action.
Once again, the Maltese were well in command at the back as goalie Vella only passed through one anxious moment when he fumbled an easy looking low shot.
But that was the only real scoring chance the Bosnians created throughout the second 45 minutes.
Malta were unlucky not to have opened the scoring on 9 minutes when Jan Busuttil set Zachary Brincat perfectly, but the latter's effort hit the upright with the Bosnian goalie beaten all ends up.
Three minutes later, following a Myles Beerman freekick, the ball was cleared to Aidan Friggieri whose shot was turned to corner by goalie Topolovic with his feet.
On 19 minutes, Malta goalie Andreas Vella was the protagonist as he twice saved the Malta goal blocking successive shots from Marko Brkic and Zinedin Mustedadagic.
In the 27th minute, in a swift Maltese counterattack, Beerman was set beautifully by Jan Busuttil, dribbled round an opponent, but then shot straight at goalie Topolovic who saved easily.
Three minutes later, goalie Vella did well to save a Mustedanagic freekick in two attempts.
At the start of the second half, Bosnia almost took the lead when a Hajdarevic low shot was fumbled by goalie Vella, but luckily for him, the ball went onto the upright and was then saved by the goalie.
On 53 minutes came Malta's reply through a Jan Busuttil freekick, but the ball went over the bar.
Goalie Vella came to Malta's rescue on 63 minutes as he turned to corner a fine effort from Benjamin Hadzic.
Soon after, it was Mustedanagic who tried his luck from outside the area, but the ball flew over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, as Bosnia insisted on attack, it was substitute Stipe Juric who had a shot going over.
Malta's first attack in the second half arrived in the 76th minute as Zachary Brincat advanced into the Bosnia area, only to see his shot hitting the side rigging.
It was the last scoring chance of the match as it petered out in a goalless draw.