Malta 2

Liechtenstein 1

Two goals in the space of ten minutes by Mosquito Michael Mifsud were enough for Malta to overcome a goal deficit and beat Liechtenstein in a spirited friendly encounter which also saw Robert Gatt’s first competitive match in charge of the national team end up in victory.

In this first encounter of the year, a relatively old look Malta began their international commitments in the post Buttigieg-Busuttil era against Liechtenstein, a nation with similar squad strength.

As expected, caretaker coach Robert Gatt opted for some experience in the side with stalwarts such as Michael Mifsud and Cohen making the starting line-up but there was also some new blood in the form of Bjorn Kristensen and Henry Bonello who also made the starting line up with names such as Ryan Fenech, Luke Dimech and Shaun Bajada on the substitute’s bench.

Malta showed the better ideas although the match never really reached great heights. Things improved a lot in the second half, especially after Liechtenstein took the lead. In fact, apart from the two goals, Mifsud missed two glaring opportunities and Malta also had a Failla freekick hitting the post.

In the first half, Malta enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but Liechtenstein defended in an organised manner and top striker Michael Mifsud was rarely allowed to shoot at goal - they simply made sure that there would be no repetition of the 2008 match which Malta won 7-1. On that day, Mifsud alone scored five goals.

In the opening half, one certainly expected more from the Malta side which only created one decent opportunity.

Liechtenstein proved to be tough opponents as they confirmed their improvement in recent years.

In the second half, they shocked the Maltese as they took an early lead, but it only lasted a few minutes as striker Michael Mifsud struck twice in quick succession to turn the result in Malta’s favour by the odd goal in three.

After that, Mifsud also missed other glaring opportunities to make sure of the win, but on the whole, the Maltese were rarely in trouble as they closed all the gaps at the back with Dimech and Caruana in full control.

Malta started strongly but the Liechtenstein defence appeared to be in control coping with the fast probing runs from the locals.

Malta had a glorious chance to go ahead on 12 minutes when Schembri waltzed into the box after skipping the last defender but his shot was brilliantly saved by Jehle for a corner. Two minutes later, Cohen had a fine rising shot which went just over the bar as the locals began piling up the pressure.

On 24 minutes, Liechtenstein replied with a fine shot by Hasler that went just wide. After a considerable lull in goalmouth action, Malta came close on 36 minutes after a probing run by Mifsud which ended with the local captain concluding against the side netting.

But it was Liechtenstein who took the lead soon after the start of the second half when a fine cross by Hasler found Buchel who lashed home from close range.

But on 54 minutes, Malta equalised with what was probably one of the finest goals ever seen when Mifsud let fly from 30 metres, completely beating Jehle with a drive that sent the local support into ecstasy.

On the hour mark Malta were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when a free kick by Failla smashed against the post with Jehle completely beaten.

But thankfully, Malta’s second goal came soon after, on 64 minutes, when a defensive mix up ended up with the ball falling to Michael Mifsud’s feet who gleefully steered it into the net.

Mifsud could have grabbed his hat- trick and Malta’s third on 71 minutes but completely alone in the box and with only the goalie to beat, he managed to steer his shot past the post.

The locals continued to dominate proceedings and controlled their advantage without much ado to register a morale-boosting victory.

In added time, Mifsud again went close to achieving his hat-trick when, with goalie Jehle well out of position, he advanced unhindered on the right only to see his shot just missing the untenanted net.

Malta: H. Bonello (J. Haber), J. Caruana, S. Borg (L. Dimech), A. Agius (G. Sciberras), D. Bogdanovic, R. Briffa (A. Muscat), M. Mifsud, A. Cohen, C. Failla, A. Schembri (S. Bajada), B. Kristensen (E. Agius)

Liechtenstein: P. Jehle, Y. Dehri (F. Eberle), Mich. Stocklasa (D. Kartmann), Martin Stocklasa (M. Christen), M. Rechsteiner (I. Quintas), M. Buchel, M. Frick, F. Burchmeier, N. Hasler, S. Wieser, M. Polverino

Referee: M. Whitby (Wales)

Asst. referees: M. Dyson, K. Fisher (Wales)

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: M. Buchel 48, M. Mifsud 54, 63

Yellow cards: A. Agius, P. Jehle, D. Bogdanovic, S. Wieser