Malta 1

Sweden         2

Malta: Y. Borg, C. Attard, C. Grech, L. Cutajar, R. Camenzuli, C. Borg, D. Zerafa, S. Pisani (L. Micallef), R. Scicluna, J. Pisani (R. Micallef), JP Farrugia.

Sweden: A. Stromberg, M. Johansson, A. Milosevic, F. Helander, L. Augustinsson, V. Claesson, O. Lewicki, A. Blomqvist (K. Olsson), R. Quasin (S. Kroom), J.Guidetti, M. Ishak (C. Nymam).

Referee: E. Jorgji (Albania)

Asst refs: D. Rexha (Albania), E. Doda (Albania)

4th official: A. Koci (Albania)

Scorers: R. Scicluna, A. Milosevic, J. Guidetti,

Yellow cards: JP Farrugia, J. Guidetti, D. Zerafa, L. Micallef, A. Milosevic,

A gallant performance by Malta was not enough to avoid a defeat against Sweden who remained in contention to win Group 7 with a narrow 2-1 win on a cold afternoon at Ta’ Qali.

The result means yet another defeat for Malta in this Group, thus remaining without any points with just one match against Turkey before the end of qualifying.

Yet, it was a somewhat unlucky defeat this time. Depleted through the absence of some key players, including Zach Muscat and Bjorn Kristensen as well as Yenz Cini and Luke Montebello, the Malta boys offered some really strong opposition to the Swedes who had won the first leg in Sweden 5-0.

Malta opted for prudence with concentration mainly in defence in the first half. They played so well at the back, ably marshalled by captain Clyde Borg, that Zach Muscat’s absence was not really felt, especially in the first half. Even newcomer Cain Attard was steady on the right flank, keeping a close eye on one of Sweden’s dangermen, Ishak. Another debutant was Ryan Micallef who entered the pitch as a substitute in the final 15 minutes.

It was in midfield that Malta struggled. Kristensen’s absence was badly felt overt there, but I wonder what he could have done to help Malta’s cause on the day.

In fact, Sweden were a superior outfit. They exercised territorial dominance, but they certainly found stiff resistance from the Maltese in the first half who only succumbed to a scrambled goal.

It is true the Malta boys only managed to go upfield three times in those opening 45 minutes, but on one occasion they scored, in the second the ball was cleared to safety and on the third, just before the interval, it was goalie Stromberg who denied Farrugia a second Malta goal.

Sweden remained in control of midfield in the second half and deservedly took the lead midway through.

But after this goal Malta pushed forward in search of an equaliser being somewhat unlucky through Farrugia who had a freekick hitting the crossbar and a good effort again turned to corner in style by the goalkeeper near the end.

Sweden, however, were in control right from the start exercising their superiority in midfield where Claesson and Lewicki worked hard to get their teammates moving.

But it was Malta who unexpectedly took the lead on the ninth minute. For once, Lady Luck smiled on our boys when Milosevic failed to clear the ball and Ryan Scicluna made the most of this lapse, advancing unhindered to beat Stromberg with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Sweden’s reply arrived in the 12th minute, when from an Augustinsson corner from the right, a melee ensued in front of the Malta goal, but luckily, Helander’s effort was blocked by a Maltese grounded defender.

Soon after, Sweden threatened again when from a Guidetti cross, Ishak headed over the bar from an ideal position.

Sweden enjoyed a lot of possession, but the Maltese were so well organised at the back that goalie Borg was rarely, if ever, tested.

But in the 29th minute they equalised. From an Augustinsson corner, the Maltese failed to clear properly. A melee ensued and Milosevic had the last laugh as his shot was adjudged by the officials to have crossed the line despite the efforts of some three Malta defenders on the goalline.

Sweden started playing more confidently and in the 33rd minute, it was Augustinsson who shot just wide following a solo action.

Sweden maintained the initiative and on 35 minutes, it was Ishak who had a shot hitting the side rigging.

In the 38th minute, Guidetti had an effort well saved by the diving Yurgen Borg. And two minutes later, from another Augustinsson corner, it was goalie Borg who definitely punched the ball away after some attempts at goal from the Swedes.

In added time, just before the interval whistle, Jean Paul Farrugia almost put Malta in the lead once again, but his fine effort saw Swedish goalie Stromberg diving to his right to turn to corner with difficulty.

At the start of the second half, it was goalie Borg who intercepted a dangerous low cross from Ishak. In the 59th minute, Ishak had an attempt going over the post while Claesson also had a shot going over in the 66th minute.

Sweden maintained the upper hand and it was no surprise that they eventually took the lead on the 69th minute. It was Guidetti who beat Borg with a freekick from just outside the area.

Malta was unlucky not to have equalised on the 75th minute when Jean Paul Farrugia’s fine freekick hit the crossbar with the goalie beaten. And just before the end, it was goalie Stromberg who avoided the 2-2 when he turned to corner in style a Farrugia effort.

Yesterday’s match was Malta’s best chance to get away with the first point. But it was not to be!