Malta: A. Hogg, S. Bajada, E. Barbara (I. Woods), L. Dimech, G. Agius (R. Fenech), R. Briffa (K. Scicluna), M. Mifsud, K. Sammut (A. Cohen), J. Mifsud (B. Said), J. Pace, U. Nwoko (G. Mallia).

Liechtenstein: P. Jehle, M. Stocklasa, R. Buechel, M. Frick, F. Burgmeier, M. Wille, F. D'Elia, R. Rohrer (A. Gerster), FJ Vogt (M. Rechsteiner), D. Hasler (C. Biedermann), M. Polverino.

Referee: W. Colum (Scotland). Asst refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri. 4th official: C. Lautier.

Scorers: M. Mifsud 5 (two penalties), J. Pace, F. Burgmeier, B. Said

Yellow cards: F. Burgmeier,

Red card: F. D'Elia

Malta registered its best ever win in its football annals yesterday evening beating Liechtenstein 7-1 in the friendly international at Ta’ Qali.

Other impressive high-scoring wins in the past were those against Azerbaijan and Estonia (5-0 and 5-2 respectively). However, yesterday’s match goes down in history also for the impeccable performance by the whole squad. It was one of those rare days in which Maltese football could hold its head very high.

And so Dusan Fitzel’s impressive reign at the helm of our national team continues even if this was a simple friendly match. He must be credited with the revival of the team in these past two years.

It was the second between these two sides. In 1981 in a tournament in Korea, the two sides had figured in a 1-1 draw.

It was also a personal triumph for Michael Mifsud who became the first ever Maltese footballer to score five goals in one international match, not to mention the several other occasions where he was thwarted by the goalie.

It was a real pity that such a great performance and victory by the boys in red was played in front of a small crowd. In fact, just a few hundreds turned up to watch proceedings on a fine evening at Ta’ Qali.

The match had already been wrapped up by the end of the first half when Malta was leading to the tune of 4-0 - an unbelievable scoreline considering the recent achievements of this Liechtenstein team.

Yet Malta, despite fielding a completely revolutionised team, had an almost flawless performance and with Mifsud and Barbara wreaking havoc in the opponents’ defence, and with Gilbert Agius and Jamie Pace spraying several intelligent passes, it was not surprising to see our boys registering such an impressive win.

Despite having a good number of established players missing, the Maltese showed technical superiority and could have easily won by a bigger margin.

In the first half, the Maltese played with sheer confidence and, buoyed by a second minute penalty which Michael Mifsud converted, they went on to hammer the Liechtenstein defence, scoring three other goals and missing several other chances in the process.

Our opponents only threatened once, immediately after the first penalty. Otherwise, they seemed to be a spent force, especially after they ended in 10 men after D’Elia was shown the red card on the occasion of the second penalty.

His dismissal was the right decision by the official, but the penalty award was very dubious as, in all probability, the offence took place just outside the area.

In the second half, Liechtenstein managed to score early, but Malta hit back strongly to score a further three goals through Michael Mifsud to seal their victory.

Malta could not have started on a better note. After just two minutes, we were already in the lead when the Scottish official awarded the Reds a penalty after Etienne Barbara was floored in the area by Burgmeier. From the resultant spotkick, Michael Mifsud made no mistake.

Liechtenstein had a good opportunity to level matters on the fifth minute when Hasler advanced unhindered but placed the ball wide with only Hogg to beat.

At the other end, Barbara set Nwoko beautifully. The latter shrugged off a tackle by a defender only to see his effort saved by the goalie.

Moments later, it was Sammut who pinpointed a perfect pass to Mifsud. The latter also had the better of Burgmeier but his final effort was again saved by Jehle.

On the 12th minute, Jehle again covered himself with glory when he flew sideways to palm out a Jamie Pace header off a Sammut corner-kick.

On the 15th minute it became 2-0 with a splendidly taken goal. It all started from a Kevin Sammut throw in to Roderick Briffa, who squared low for Jamie Pace. The latter transferred the ball to Etienne Barbara who quickly set the unmarked Michael Mifsud for the Coventry striker to score one of his easiest goals in his career, just tapping the ball home.

Two minutes later, Malta was again awarded a second penalty when Fabio D'Elia upended Etienne Barbara - the infringement was probably just outside the area. The Liechtenstein defender was also shown the red card and Michael Mifsud was on target once again to achieve his hat-trick.

There was no stopping Malta and on 32 minutes, Malta struck again. A cross from Udo Nwoko saw Jamie Pace anticipating the goalie to head the ball into the far corner.

Soon after the restart, Liechtenstein pulled one back. Josef Mifsud felled Polverino and the official pointed to the dreaded spot. Frick's effort was saved by Hogg but from the resultant corner, taken by Polverino, Franz Burgmeier headed home.

Soon after Jehle was tested seriously by Andrew Cohen's fine swerving shot, but the goalie managed to turn to corner.

Malta replied with a fifth goal on 61 minutes. It was Cohen who set Michael Mifsud in the area. He responded with a great shot to score his fourth goal.

Malta maintained its superiority and it was no surprise that the sixth goal arrived on the 71st minute. And it was again Michael Mifsud who concluded with a rising shot after some good work from Udo Nwoko.

And with two minutes to, it was substitute defender Brian Said who headed in the seventh and final goal off a George Mallia corner.