National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gabriel Hamilton kicked off to start the match. After having played for 3 minutes, Gabriel Hamilton managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. U21 Malta's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gabriel Hamilton was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 11th match minute, U21 Malta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Neil Salinos to maneuver through the defense. When U21 Ecuador's Cruz Basabe in the 12th minute got a chance for a shot 12th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Malta's goalie prevented a goal. Augusto Gaig stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Joseph Biasini's shot from short distance in the 14th minute. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Ecuador's zone, Joseph Biasini stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Augusto Gaig came out of the goal and Joseph Biasini tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 16 played minutes U21 Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Lisandro Sayavedra. The supporters of U21 Malta booed when U21 Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alvaro Tejada didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 21st minute, Gabriel Hamilton got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gabriel Hamilton in the 22nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Augusto Gaig saved U21 Ecuador from getting behind. With his leg Kenneth Boccanera managed to avoid a goal in the 33rdth minute, when U21 Ecuador's Clemente Velicia fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Franco Fernandes during the 35th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of U21 Malta booed when U21 Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Franco Fernandes didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Clemente Velicia in the 37th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Kenneth Boccanera saved U21 Malta from getting behind. Kenneth Boccanera had great luck who in the 38thth minute grab hold of the ball when Clemente Velicia from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. 39 minutes had been played when some careless play by U21 Malta's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alvaro Tejada was slow to take the kick. During this time U21 Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. Kenneth Boccanera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cruz Basabe, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. After 46 played minutes U21 Malta got a freekick which was hit by Andrea Magrino. Clemente Velicia took the ball and in the 48 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Kenneth Boccanera. Kenneth Boccanera dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. U21 Malta's William Redman was substituted for Amadeo Inguanez. U21 Ecuador made a substitution. John Narváez replaced Lisandro Sayavedra. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

Keith Cascun in the 61stth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Augusto Gaig, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 65 minutes into the match, U21 Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Cruz Basabe came free, but Kenneth Boccanera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Kenneth Boccanera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Clemente Velicia in the 70th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Cruz Basabe's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kenneth Boccanera was relentless in the 74th minute of the game. U21 Ecuador's Chucho Benitez was substituted for Clemente Velicia. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cruz Basabe in the 81st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kenneth Boccanera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 85 minutes into the match, U21 Malta's goal looked a bit too open when Chucho Benitez came free, but Kenneth Boccanera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Chucho Benitez's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kenneth Boccanera was relentless in the 88th minute of the game. In the 92ndth minute of the game Cruz Basabe who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Malta's Kenneth Boccanera was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The U21 Ecuador fans' excitement grew in the 94th match minute when U21 Ecuador's Cruz Basabe looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 4-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cruz Basabe in the 97th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kenneth Boccanera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Cruz Basabe hit a great freekick 98 minutes into the match. U21 Ecuador's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.