Faroe Islands         3
Malta                      1

Faroe Islands: G. Nielsen, S. Vanhamar (R. Baldvinsson), B. Olsen (F. Justinussen), V. Davidsen, R. Joensen, J. Edmundsson, G. Sorensen (C. Bartalstovu), G. Vanhamar, H. Hansson, A. Gregersen, S. Nattestad.

Malta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, A. Agius, Z. Muscat (JP Farrugia), J. Zerafa, J. Mbong, A. Effiong (A. Cohen), P. Fenech, R. Muscat (S. Pisani), A. Schembri, M. Mifsud.

Referee: V. Nevalhamen (Finland)

Scorer: Edmundson 31, Joenson 38, Mifsud 42, Hansson 53,

Yellow cards: G. Vanhamar, A. Effiong, Z. Muscat, S. Borg, J. Zerafa, A. Cohen.

A gift goal by defender Joseph Zerafa on 31 minutes paved the way for a 3-1 win for the Faroe Islands over Malta.

It was an unfortunate moment for Zerafa and Malta as Edmundsson gladly took the opportunity to give his side the lead on 31 minutes. Joenson then scored a second before Michael Mifsud brought Malta back in contention before the interval. But Hansson's goal eight minutes into the second half put paid to any hopes Malta might have had of saving the match.

It was a disappointing competitive debut for national coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia but apart from that first Faroes' goal, one must say that we saw a fighting side which only threw in the towel completely in the final moments.

Malta started the match in a cautious 3-5-2 formation with Borg, Agius and Z. Muscat in front of goalie Hogg. Zerafa, Effiong, Fenech, Mbong and R. Muscat played in midfield while Schembri and Mifsud were up front.

Despite playing away, Malta never looked inferior to the Faroes in the opening 30 minutes, but a lapse by Joe Zerafa paved the way for the home side's lead.

 Few minutes later as the boys in red had not yet settled down from the earlier setback, they suffered a second goal after another counterattack.

But the boys showed character to retaliate quickly and reduce the margin through an excellent goal from veteran Michael Mifsud.

Early in the second half, Malta showed signs of a recovery, but their hopes were dashed to the ground when the Faroes scored a third goal on 53 minutes.

After that, the match was practically won and lost. Malta's reaction was feeble and the Faroes could go on and control proceedings with ease.

On seven minutes, Effiong tried to set up Mifsud, but the ball was intercepted by Davidsen.

On 15 minutes, Malta created the first real scoring chance. Rowen Muscat set Michael Mifsud in the Faroes area, but the latter's effort was blocked by the goalie to corner.

Immediately after it was Malta goalie Hogg in action as he saved a central header by Edmundsson.

On 20 minutes, Hogg saved the Malta fort when he dived full length to save a Hendriksen dangerous frfeekick.

At the other end, Schembri set Mifsud on the right, but the Malta skipper's cross found no takers.

On 31 minutes, Malta gifted The Faroe Islands the lead when Joe Zerafa passed badly backwards. Borg and Hogg were taken completely by surprise and Edmundson had all the time at his mercy to find the Malta net.

Malta reacted and three minutes later, from a Fenech cross, R. Muscat headed wide.

On 38 minutes, Jonson advanced unhindered on the right to go past a  defender before placing well wide of Hogg to make it 2-0.

Malta reduced the arrears on the 42nd minute when Schembri pinpointed a fine cross to Michael Mifsud who controlled the ball well before hitting past the goalie.

Early in the second half, Mifsud had a shot going just wide.

But it was the Faroe Islands who struck again on 53 minutes when following a long and confused action in the Malta area, the Malta defence failed to clear and finally the ball was passed to the unmarked Hansson who beat Hogg with a rising shot.

On 58 minutes, Malta earned a freekick but Andrei Agius' effort was blocked by Nielsen.

Malta's reaction was feeble but on 67 minutes, Mbong had a shot blocked by Nattestad.

In added time, it was Hogg who denied the Faroes a 4th goal with a fine save off a Baldvinsson header.