Malta U-19s lose final group game in Caput Mundi

The Malta U-19 team concluded their commitments in the Roma Caput Mundi Tournament on a disappointing note after suffering a 3-1 defeat to the England Colleges FA selection in their final Group B game, yesterday.

A bright first-half display raised the Maltese boys’ hopes of gaining their first positive result in this eight-team tournament as, on 30 minutes, Kurt Shaw cancelled out Charlie Coppola’s early opener for the English side.

But England Colleges made an important step towards victory when Matt Ridley’s long-range effort soared into the net after 64 minutes.

A goal from Sorba Thomas, eight minutes from the end, sealed England Colleges’ first victory after two successive defeats.

The Malta Under 19 team, led by coach Wayne Attard, ended their commitments without a point to show after three matches.

The top-of-the-table clash between Italy’s Lega Nazionale Dilettanti selection and the Albania Under 19 team went into penalties after a goalless draw.

Albania won the shoot-out and will meet Romania, the Group A winners, in the final today.