Courtesy: Maltese FA


Romania manage a comeback to win 2-4

20-10-09

Malta vs. Romania U21
International Friendly Matches
20th & 21st October 2009
2000hrs
Hibs Pavilion - Corradino




Malta 2 (1)
Romania U21 4 (0)

Malta was the most enterprising side at the Hibs Pavilion in Corradino going up 2-0 but still lost in the second half when Romania managed to equalise with two goals in quick succession.

Since the beginning of the match an attacking mentality was very evident. The players looked very confident, relaxed and enjoying their Futsal. The new Futsal national team coach seems to have instilled some much needed confidence in the team.

Funnily enough the players looked like they could not cope with the fact that they were winning 2-0 and instead of keeping possession they continued to venture forward in search of more goals. The first goal was executed with four minutes to go to the half time and nearly all the team contributed to it. Darren Agius found Clint Cope who unleashed his assist towards Tyron Borg who in turn shot low under the keeper.

On the restart the captain Xavier Saliba should have scored when he saw his shot drag agonisingly past the post. A few minutes after the same player made up and scored elegantly with a well placed shot from a corner by the technically gifted Carlos Scicluna. Two up!

Romania were not disheartened by this and managed to get one back when Szabolcs, their most talented player, dribbled past 2 players and fired in the back of the net. Instantly the visiting team hit another goal when Bugeja and Cutajar inadvertently hit each other to pave way for Brasoveanu to shoot.

With ten minutes to go the Maltese players had nothing to show as the Romanians forged ahead again with Brasoveanu with an excellent pass by Szabo. A couple of chances by the home team threatened to force the drawback but a freakish goal by Szabolcs killed off any hope. The talented Romanian's terrific shot hit the post and the back of the keeper's head to go in. With 2 minutes to go there was barely any time for the Maltese to score but still our players pressed and looked to try and get back into the game as in Futsal the play is very fast and unpredictable.

Victor Hernmans quickly reiterated to mfa.com.mt "we played much better than yesterday. It was definitely a much better match for us and toady we lacked experience as we went up 2-0. We should have kept more possession of the ball especially up front. This is a learning curve and in these friendly matches I am sure that our players have learnt from the errors we made and at the same time they help me asses the players."

Look out for some interesting friendly matches which will be organised in the future for the Futsal National team.

Malta: Matthew Mifsud and Brian Baldacchino Goalkeepers, Frank Scerri, Elton Catania, Darren Agius, Clint Cope, Paul Bugeja, Tyron Borg, Robert Magro, Jean Bert Gatt, Xavier Saliba (capt), John Cutajar, Nicola De Re, Carlos Scicluna.

Referees: Gjergji Bitri and Alex Arena


Match 1 report
The Malta Futsal team lost the opening match in a double-header encounter against the visiting young Romania side by the odd goal in three. Playing their first international match under the helm of new Dutch coach Victor Hermans, the Maltese opened the score through a brilliant goal by skipper John Cutajar in the seventh minute. The Romanians drew level in the 16th minute thanks to well-taken Costantin Danut goal and went ahead one minute before the interval (19') as a result of a rare defensive mistake by the locals which the opportunist Szabo Szolt converted. (HT 1-2)
photo (c) mfa.com.mt
The Maltese played a good match and should be well satisfied with their overall disciplined performance despite the introduction of new elements in the side. Darren Agius, Xavier Saliba and Carlos Scicluna went close to equalise in the second half but were thwarted by the alert Romanian custodian. Malta: Matthew Mifsud (Brian Baldacchino), Frank Scerri, Elton Catania, Darren Agius, Clint Cope, Paul Bugeja, Tyron Borg, Robert Magro, Jean Bert Gatt, Xavier Saliba, John Cutajar (c), Nicola De Re, Carlos Scicluna. Referees: Gjergji Bitri, Norman Vella


Matches introduction
The Futsal National Team will be playing two international friendly matches against the Under-21 National Futsal Team of Romania over the coming days.

New National Coach Vic Hermans and his assistant Bert Kessen will be utilising these two encounters as an excellent opportunity to assess the level of their ‘new' players, together with a number of new elements that they have included in the National Squad during the past weeks.

Both matches will be played at the Hibs Pavilion, Coarradino on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October. Both encounters have a 2000hrs kick-off time.

The following are the players selected for these two matches:

Goalkeepers
Brian Baldacchino (Pentagon)
Matthew Mifsud (Naxxar)

Players
Darren Agius (Paola Stars)
Tyron Borg (Pentagon)
Paul Bugeja (Paola Downtown)
Clint Cope (Southenders)
John Cutajar (Naxxar)
Nicola Del Re (Pentagon)
Jeanbert Gatt (Luxol)
Robert Magro (Naxxar)
Craig Pickard (Pentagon)
Carlo Scicluna (Naxxar)
Xavier Saliba (Paola Downtown)
Frank Xerri (Pentagon)

On the other hand, Romanian National Coach Jakob Zoltan has selected the following players:-

Goalkeepers
Bogdan Caramalou (Design Brasov)
Andrei Moldovan (Concordia Chiajna)

Players
Buta Bogdan (Olimpic Simeria)
Andrei Brasoveanu (Concordia Chiajna)
Sazvan Brasoveanu (Concordia Chiajna)
Cristian Macingo (Futsal Deva)
Zsolt Tekeres (Clujana Cluj)
Constantin Daruat (United Galati)
George Enache (Concordia Chiajna)
Lucian Popescu (Futsal Deva)
Manya Szabols (ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc)
Zsolt Szabo (ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc)






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com