National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Szilárd Németh made the kick off which started today's match. Ján Horník took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daryl Ellul, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ján Horník made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daryl Ellul in the 8th minute of play. Through an outstanding action, after 12 minutes, Ján Horník successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. 20 minutes into the match, Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Szilárd Németh came free, but Adrian Mallia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Adrian Mallia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Szilárd Németh in the 21st minute of play. Adrian Mallia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aurel Pataj in the 24th minute of the match. Slovakia's Ján Horník proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save Slovakia from getting a goal against them. In the 37th minute Malta were awarded a corner. Shawn Bartolo went to the cornerflag to take it. Ján Horník showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daryl Ellul in the 42nd minute of the match. Daryl Ellul recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 45th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The score stood at 0-0 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Malta made a substitution. Dejan Cassar replaced Daryl Ellul. In the 62nd minute Dejan Cassar shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ján Horník saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Malta's Adrian Mallia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ján Slanička in the 67th minute of play. In the 71st minute of the match, Szilárd Németh tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Adrian Mallia saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 74th minute, Dejan Cassar left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Malta fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. Slovakia's Ján Horník played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dejan Cassar in the 78th minute of play. Slovakia made a substitution. Matej Lapaj replaced Erik Jendrišek. Slovakia's Ivan Cicman was substituted for Szilárd Németh. After 80 minutes Slovakia's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Shawn Bartolo who took care of the corner kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ivan Cicman in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Adrian Mallia prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ivan Cicman in the 88th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Adrian Mallia saved Malta from getting behind. 90 minutes into the match, Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Ivan Cicman came free, but Adrian Mallia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 92nd minute, Shawn Bartolo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience thought a goal was coming when Ivan Cicman got free with Adrian Mallia in the 95th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Slovakia's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.