Malta-Moldova 2-3

A brave rally in the second half produced two goals but it was simply not enough to cancel a disastrous first half performance in which Malta suffered three unlucky goals.

Dusan Fitzel’s boys still left the field to the applause of those present, including Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi. But the defeat means that, in all probability, Malta will not be reaching its target – that of avoiding bottom place in the Group. Malta’s last two matches are away to Greece and at home to Norway. Moldova, now four points above Malta in the standings, still have a home match against Hungary to finish their commitments.

It is a real pity because Malta certainly deserved more after so many positives before yesterday’s result.

The match was more difficult than expected due to the slippery conditions. In fact, it was played under a continuous drizzle which did not deter the around 8,000 crowd which braved the weather and all.

The first half was disastrous for Malta. After an encouraging start, the official awarded a very dubious penalty which Moldova converted. It proved to be the turning point.

Fitzel’s boys were obviously unsettled and were out of sorts till the end of the first half.

However, we were also unlucky in the other two goals suffered. The second goal might have been scored from an offside position, while Ian Azzopardi, quite unluckily, presented the third goal on a plate to the Moldovans after slipping in the middle of the pitch in a fast breakaway.

With Fitzel introducing Cohen and Scerri at the start of the second half, the Malta boys appeared to have found new life. They took command of midfield through Pace, Mallia and Woods, but the Moldovans defended well until the locals pulled one back through Scerri and then closed the gap further through Michael Mifsud’s penalty.

However, it was not enough as even if our visitors had to finish in 10 men (they had Golovatenco sent off), our boys never found their way to goal again despite a desperate search near the end.

Malta had earlier started the match on a good note with Michael Mifsud giving the Moldovan defence a lot to think about with his speed and dribbling. But after that penalty award, the Maltese appeared to be demoralised and never found the energy to rally back.

Malta threatened first through Michael Mifsud on the 10th minute. He received the ball in the Malta half and advanced to unleash a powerful grounder from the edge of the area. The goalie, however, saved on deck.

Moldova replied two minutes later with a shot from Bugaiov, but Haber also palmed the ball away. Pace then earned a freekick, but he skied the ball from outside the area.

On 18 minutes a good move by Briffa on the right ended with a cross cleared by Lascencov before Mifsud could apply the finishing touch. The ball went out to Andre Schembri whose shot, however, went wide.

At the other end, on 22 minutes a dangerous Bordian freekick went over.

The match was fairly balanced until then, But on 25 minutes, to the surprise of all, including the Moldovans themselves, the official awarded the visitors a very dubious penalty when Luke Dimech tackled Gatcan quite fairly in the area. From the spot-kick, Igor Bugaiov sent Haber the wrong way.

Malta were rattled by this goal and a Frunza shot was deviated to corner by Said. The same Frunza was on target on the 34th minute when he turned the ball into the net off a bad shot from Bugaiov.

On 37 minutes, bad luck continued to hit Malta when Ian Azzopardi slipped in the centre of the field allowing Frunza a clear path to goal. The latter made no mistake as Haber rushed out of his charge in vain.

Fitzel introduced Hibs striker Andrew Cohen and Terence Scerri in place of Andre Schembri and Kenneth Scicluna at the start of the second half. This move saw Briffa taking over from Scicluna on the right flank, at the back, while George Mallia was moved deep in midfield.

Malta pressed hard for a goal, but the first time they came near was on 66 minutes when off a Michael Mifsud low pass, substitute Scerri hesitated and missed a chance to shoot from an ideal position.

On the 70th minute, it was a Brian Said intervention which avoided a fourth goal as Bordian tried to set Bugaiov in front of Haber.

Two minutes later, Malta pulled one back when Jamie Pace won three successive tackles in midfield. The ball went to Terence Scerri who also won a tackle in the area before hitting into the net.

Andrew Cohen then won a penalty for Malta on the 82nd minute when he was floored in the area by Bordian. From the spot-kick, Mifsud made no mistake thus giving fresh hope of a complete recovery.

Three minutes later, Moldova ended up in ten men as Golovatenco was shown the red card following a second bookable offence.

On 89 minutes, George Mallia had a good effort from the edge of the area being saved by the goalie.

In injury time, Fitzel played his last card, bringing in Udo Nwoko in place of Ian Azzopardi.

The crowd seemed to have found new energy and with chants of ‘Malta, Malta’ encouraged the locals in the final few minutes, but despite all the reds’ efforts, Moldova held on to win the three points.







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Malta: J. Haber, I. Azzopardi (U. Nwoko), B. Said, L. Dimech, R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, I. Woods, G. Mallia, A. Schembri (T. Scerri), K. Scicluna (A. Cohen), J. Pace.

Moldova: S. Pascenco, V. Golovatenco, S. Stroenco, S. Lascenov, A. Corneencov, V. Bordian, A. Gatcan (D. Zmeu), N. Josan, V. Comlionoc (S. Namasco), V. Frunza, I. Bugaiov.

Referee: I. Ishchenko (Ukraine), asst refs: S. Tsymbal, O. Pluzhnyk, 4th official: V. Godulyan.

Scorers: I. Bugaiov pen, V. Frunza 2, T. Scerri, M. Mifsud pen

Yellow cards: A. Gatcan, S. Stroenco, L. Dimech, K. Scicluna, V. Golovatenko, S. Pascenco, I. Woods, A. Corneencov,

Red cards: V. Golovatenko







Coaches agree it was a match of two different periods



The two coaches, Malta’s Dusan Fitzel and Moldova’s Igor Dobrovolsky agreed after the match that it was a game of two different halves.

Fitzel said he had told his boys that the match would not be easy as some might have imagined. “I think they might have thought they would win this match. But Moldova proved they are a strong side. Still, I think we deserved something more, perhaps a third goal, after our rally in the second half,” said the coach from the Czech Republic.

In fact, Fitzel was not so happy with the result. “Yet, the second half performance was a surprise for me as the changes and tactics worked. It was certainly positive,” he remarked.

The coach added that he hoped that his players had learned a lesson after yesterday’s match. “They have to play with heart and passion, as they did in the second half. We made a lot of mistakes in the first half for which we paid dearly,” he added.

Fitzel would not agree that the penalty was the turning point. “It is not for me to say whether it was a harsh decision by the referee. We always have to accept their decisions,” he added.

Dobrovolsky said that he had told his players at half time to expect a comeback from the Maltese. “I told them that a match is not won in the first half only. In 45 minutes, a lot can happen, and Malta could have obtained a third goal, although I would have also been happy with a draw,” he stated.