From the website www.mfa.com.mt: “Futsal – Malta lose to a strong Netherlands side”
In the second of back-to-back friendlies on consecutive days, the Malta futsal team went down 8-0 to a strong Netherlands side on Tuesday evening at the National Sports School. As in the first friendly match on Monday, won 7-2 by the Dutch side, the Maltese team found it hard to cope with the visitors’ skills and pace but the 8-0 scoreline was harsh for Vic Hermans’s side who created some good scoring opportunities but were denied by the agile Lahcen Bouyouzan put the Dutch in front after two minutes 37 seconds and almost three minutes later they doubled their lead through Said Bouzambou.
The Dutch made it 3-0 on the seventh minute mark through Zaid El Morabiti, before adding a the fourth goal before the interval through Ike Neil.
The second period same story with Netherlands remaining in firm control despite the efforts of the Maltese team to get back into the match.
The Netherlands went 5-0 up, Said Bouzambou getting his second goal four minutes 10 seconds into the second half.
Another Dutch player finding the net twice was Ike Neil with the sixth goal before two more goals and a hat-trick for Zaid El Morabiti midway through the second half.
Towards the end, there was a chance for a Maltese consolation goal but Matthew Attard saw his well-driven shot towards the top corner tipped away by Dutch keeper Barry De Wit.
For the Malta futsal team, led by Dutch coach Vic Hermans, these friendlies are part of their preparations for the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers next year.
LINE-UPS
Malta – Stephen Vella, Brendon Debono, Clint Mifsud, Jovica Milijic, Mark Zammit, Dylan Musu, Giancarlo Sammut, Carl Azzopardi, Aidan Micallef, Matthew Attard, George Frendo, Andy Mangion, Rennie Tanti, Marwan Telisi, Ryan Xuereb.
Netherlands – Barry De Wit, Jack Steur, Zaid El Morabiti, Oualid Saadduni, Jordany Martinus, Mo Attairi, Iliass Bouzit, Said Bouzambou, Karim Mossadiji, Lahcen Bouyouzan, Youssef Makraou, Mats Velsebder, Yoshia St Juste, Ike Neil.
Referee 1 – Beairi Besar (Kosovo)
Referee 2 – Daniele D’Adamo (San Marino)
Referee 3 – Clint Cassar (Malta)
Time Keeper – Slieman Charif (Malta)
Photo: Joe Borg