Malta 2

CAF 1

Malta earned a prestigious win in their friendly against the Central African Republic at Ta’ Qali yesterday, with Michael Mifsud scoring both goals in an entertaining first half, one from an early penalty. In between, CAF had obtained a temporary draw.

The second half produced no goals and less exciting football and although enjoying more of the possession, the Africans failed to penetrate the solid Malta defence.

Although the timing might have not been optimum, the match served as a good warm-up for Malta’s upcoming Euro qualifiers in less than two months time.

Andrew Hogg again started in goal. The central defensive pair of Jonathan Caruana and Andre Agius were solid and composed, although the two wide defenders, Clayton Failla and Roderick Briffa rarely displayed overlapping play.

Ryan Fenech was good in front of the defence in the first half and provided the pass that lead to Malta’s second goal, but he was less involved in the second as a wide player on the left, after Jamie Pace’s inclusion. Gareth Sciberras, Andre Schembri and Daniel Bogdanovic had a disappointing game by their standards and the latter also fluffed a good opportunity midway through the first half. The evening’s most pleasing passes nearly always came from Andrew Cohen, the lynchpin behind Malta’s striker Michael Mifsud. The Valletta player scored a brace in the first half but was starved of service after the interval as Malta took a more laid back approach.

Our unknown opponents from Central Africa, ranked in 89th place by FIFA, turned out to be athletically good and although not highly technical as a unit, they played some fast football and showed individual flair in flashes.

Malta could not have dreamt of a better start. With only 45 seconds on the clock, they won a penalty when keeper Yezzoat rushed off his line and felled Michael Mifsud inside the area as he tried to reach for Cohen’s pass.

The Malta captain tucked it away to put the locals one up.

Bolstered by that early lead, Malta looked sharper on the ball and could have even exploited their opponents’ erratic passing better. Cohen and Fenech had close shave efforts in the first six minutes.

On nine minutes, Schembri won a lucky rebound inside the CAF area but Enza-Yamissi managed to clear into a corner.

The Africans also won their first corner at the other end, one minute later. Manga’s shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off a Maltese defender, but luckily missed the target.

Although tactically well displayed, the Maltese were unable to maintain the momentum as the African players gradually started to find rhythm of their own, exploiting some swift runs on the right flank, where Failla was at pains against the forages of Manga, by far Central Africa’s most dangerous player.

Midway through the half, Malta threatened again when Bogdanovic was put through by Cohen on the right, he beat his opponent but, with only the keeper to beat, he failed to put his shot on target.

Malta were made to pay for that missed chance. On 25 minutes, Manga persisted inside the Malta area and as our defenders failed to clear, Momi ran in unhindered to knock in the loose ball.

Malta were stunned and seemed to lose some of their composure. However, two minutes before the break, they regained the lead, courtesy of Michael Mifsud’s opportunism. He connected well to Fenech’s log ball forward, to flick it past the onrushing African keeper and into an unattended net.

It was a breadth of fresh air for Malta, who put in Justin Haber in goals and Jamie Pace for Bogdanovic in midfield for the second period. Ryan Fenech moved wide on the left flank.

On 55 minutes, Christian Caruana made his international debut as promised.

But, defending their lead, Malta handed too much of the initiative to the vistors, who forced a series of corners and threatened with high balls towards the Malta goal. They were found wanting in their finishing however.

Still Malta carved out the second half’s best chance, five minutes from the end. Cohen set Christian Caruana wide on the left, his cross was palmed out by the keeper for Cohen, whose goalbound effort was blocked by Kogui-Souchan.

Malta A. Hogg (J. Haber), J. Caruana, G. Scibrerras, A. Agius, R. Fenech, D. Bogdanovic (J. Pace), R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, A. Cohen (T. Cilia), C. Failla (C. Mamo), A. Schembri (C. Caruana)

CAF E. Yezzoat, F. Kethevoama, F. Anzite, M. Enza-Yamissi, R. Lignanzi, F. Okassis Kemo (M. Gbarsin), D. Manga, O. Bolitoli (F. Cassai), S. Kogui-Souchan, A. Kazamgba, H. Momi

Referee T. Ozkalfa (Turkey)

Scorers M. Mifsud 2 (pen), 43, H. Momi 25

Yellow cards E. Yezzoat, O. Bolitoli, A. Cohen, C. Caruana, C. Mamo, R. Lignanzi