Malta                         1
Faroe Islands            1

Malta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, A. Agius, J. Mbong, P. Fenech, M. Mifsud, A. Schembri, R. Muscat, C. Failla (K. Nwoko 80'), J. Corbolan (J. Zerafa 77'), Z. Muscat (J. Caruana 66')

Faroe Islands: G. Nielsen, V. Davidsen, A. Gregersen, R. Nattestad (O. Faero 83'), H. Hansson, B. Hendriksson, G. Rolantsson, S. Vatnhamar (K. Bartalsstovu 67'), R. Joensen, H. Vatnsdal, J. Thomsen (K. Olsen 74')

Referee: Maksim Meshkov (Russia)

Scorers: Rene Joensen 3', Juan Corbolan 4'

Yellow cards: A. Agius, A. Schembri, R. Muscat, H. Hansson, B. Hendriksson, S. Vatnhamar, H. Vatnsdal
The much awaited and longed for victory remained a dream as two goals inside the first four minutes of the game settled this rather timid encounter.

Faroe Islands were happy with the draw as they avoided the bottom place in the group. The game had an electrifying start with Faroe Islands taking a three minute lead and with the Maltese quickly hitting back sixty seconds later through Corbolan.

However the game after this encouraging start was quite timid for the rest of the first half, with our opponents holding for long stretches the possession of the ball. However Hogg was rarely tested, and apart from some well timed sorties he was never called in action.

In the second half the game did not change much with our opponents still in good control of the match, with the Maltese coming to life in the last part of the match pushing their opponents in their own area.

Coach Ray Farrugia made five changes from the team that received a drubbing against Kosovo.Andrei Agius and Steve Borg were back in defence after serving a one-match suspension.

Zach Muscat was confirmed, with Ryan Camilleri relegated to the substitute's bench.Joseph Mbong retained his place and Clayton Failla was preferred to Joseph Zerafa on the left flank.Failla had a rather dismal start missing some easy balls and committing a series of mistakes, but he eventually settled down.

In midfield Paul Fenech was a starter together with Michael Mifsud who partnered Andre Schembri in his last appearance with the red jersey.

It was a horific start for the Maltese who were down after only three minutes when Rolantsson's cross from the right was easy prey to the unmarked Joensen who headed home from close range.

But Malta's reaction was incredibly fast as sixty seconds later Mifsud was put through, his shot was saved by Nielsen, but from the rebound Juan Corbolan fired low into the net.

Both teams settled down and play was mainly in midfield with the Faroe Island players in full command.

Failla tested Nielsen on 26 minutes and ten minutes later Faroe Islands lost a golden opportunity when Vatnhamar headed incredibly wide from close range.On the resumption Malta started with a very good move finished off by Corbolan whose shot skimmed the crossbar.

There were shots from Hansson and Hendriksson which failed to impress.

The Maltese pressed in the last fifteen minutes of the match and the introduction of Kyrian Nwoko in the last ten minutes gave the attack a new lease of life.Malta's best chance came on 42 minutes when Michael Mifsud showed that he is still a top player at 37, when he darted inside the box but his low drive from an ideal position was saved by Nielsen.

 

Ray Farrugia looks forward for a brighter future

National coach Ray Farrugia remained optimistic for a brighter future, despite the result against Faroe Island was not the desired one. Ray Farrugia said that he was disappointed that the victory was not obtained, but on the other hand he was more than satisfied about the performance offered by his players.

He thanked his players for their determination. He said it was not easy after the debacle against Kosovo three days ago. He remarked that Kosovo agains showed their worth yesterday hitting four past Azerbaijan in Prsitina.

He said that in the second part of the game Malta did everything possible to obtain the victory, practically fieldin four strikers as even defender Andrei Agius was advanced in an attacking role. However Farrugia said that he was satisfied with the overall performances of the team in this group, scoring practically in every gagame and drawing three out of six matches.

Farrugia said he was satisfied with the work carried out in these six months he was at the helm of the team, however he stressed that there is a lot of work to be carried out. He concluded that if we work hard the future is bright, as we have some interesting youngsters on whom to build the future of the national team.