Malta U19 fall 3–1 to Belarus after promising start

The Malta U19 National Team suffered a 3–1 home defeat to Belarus in the first of two friendly matches, despite taking an early lead in a tightly contested encounter.

Malta made a bright start and deservedly went ahead in the 25th minute, when Thomas Melillo of Valletta FC capitalized on a good opening to fire the ball past the Belarus goalkeeper.

The first half remained balanced with most of the play concentrated in midfield, and neither side creating further clear-cut chances before the break.

After the restart, Belarus reacted strongly and drew level in the 50th minute, when Artsom Akatou nodded in from close range. Eleven minutes later, they turned the game around through Daniel Volski, who latched onto a through ball and headed home to make it 2–1.

Malta pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Belarus remained dangerous on the counter. Their efforts were rewarded in the 81st minute, as substitute Stanislau Kazmerchuk sealed the win with a composed finish.

The visitors comfortably saw out the final minutes to claim the victory. The two sides will meet again on Monday, 13 October 2025, at 18:00 as Malta aim to respond with a stronger performance.

Match Stats

Malta 1
Belarus 3 (HT 1–0)

25’ Thomas Melillo (MLT), 50’ Artsom Akatou (BLR), 61’ Daniel Volski (BLR), 81’ Stanislau Kazmerchuk (BLR)

Malta: Carlos Camilleri, Sheldon Borg, Nathan Joyce (Jean Borg 69’), Aidan Agius (Ben Gaerty 84’), Malik Marwan Amin (Adam Aquilina 69’), Dejan Farrugia (Cristian Vella Gonzalez 84’), Jack Camilleri (Andreas Vella 69’), Shaun Xiberras (Adam Vella 57’), Thomas Melillo (Jake Borg 84’), Emerson Piscopo (Lyon Abela 57’), Nathan Zerafa
Coach: Vasco Regini

Belarus: Makar Maslenkae, Pavel Apatsionak, Artsom Akatou (Maksim Sakuta 74’), Matsvei Bakhno (Maksim Autka 74’), Artsem Hrabtsevich (Alaksandr Dziarzhynski 67’), Erykh Mikanovich (Hleb Mishyn 74’), Tismaifei Tkachou (Arsen Stanul 57’), Daniil Haliata (Stanislau Kazmerchuk 74’), Daniel Volski (Siarhei Zhyvusska 67’), Kiryl Apanasevich, Bahdan Huseij (Yahor Molohan 67’)
Coach: Siathei Sasnouski