Malta: H. Bonello, J. Caruana, S. Borg, A. Agius, M. Guillaumier, J. Mbong, P. Fenech, M. Mifsud (J. Zerafa 71'), K. Nwoko, R. Muscat (J. Mintoff 84'), J. Corbolan (Z. Muscat 63')
Faroe Island: G. Nielsen, V. Davidsen, A. Gregersen, H. Hansson, B. Hendriksson, G. Rolantsson, S. Vatnhamar (K. Bartalsstovu 68'), R. Baldvinsson (A. Frediriksberg 79'), J. Thomsen, O. Faero, R. Joensen.
Referee: Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson (Iceland)
Yellow cards: H. Bonello, S. Borg, K. Nwoko, H. Hansson, G. Rolantsson, R. Joensen, K. Bartalsstovu
Red card: Andrei Agius 62'
Scorers: Kyrian Nwoko 13', Steve Borg 77' pen, Jakup Thomsen 97'
The long wait is finally over. A heroic Malta side reduced to ten men on the hour managed to beat Faroe Islands by the odd goal in three to register its first home win in competitive matches after a 13-year wait. Our last victory, with the same score, was on 11 October 2006 against Hungary.
It was a well-deserved victory for the Maltese, who were almost perfect in their approach in the first hour of the match. After a ten-minute study initial period the Maltese took the lead on 14 minutes with a great Nwoko header.
The same player could have doubled the score some minutes later and the Maltese were in full command of the proceedings, with our opponents enjoying long moments of sterile possession football, with Henry Bonello practically a spectator in the first half.
The music did not change much on the resumption, although as expected, Faroe Islands did that extra effort to get more in the game. The Maltese defence started to show some cracks, especially when our opponents started to use long crosses to penetrate our penalty area.
And on the hour the incident that radically changed the match happened when Faroe Islands won a penalty and Andrei Agius was sent off. However, Bonello came to Malta's rescue saving from the penalty spot, sending the Maltese supporters in raptures.
But there was more to come as an outstanding Joseph Mbong won a penalty on 77 minutes and Steve Borg calmly put the ball at the back of the net. Tension was now at its peak at Ta' Qali with Faroe Islands pushing everything desperately forward.
Henry Bonello made another impressive save seven minutes from time, and the referee from Iceland gave seven minutes of stoppage time. The Maltese were in apparent difficulty as Faroe Islands were desperate for a goal, a goal that arrived on 97 minutes. But it was too late for them as the final whistle came seconds later, as the Malta squad could finally party on a rather rare but deserved victory.
All players were outstanding yesterday, form the experienced Michael Mifsud who capped his 137th match yesterday, to Matthew Guillaumier who was making his debut. But other youngsters like Nwoko and Mbong were incredibly impressive, playing like veterans with a baggage of experience.
Others excelled too. From Steve Borg to Jonathan Caruana, from Paul Fenech to Rowen Muscat, but a special mention must go to Henry Bonello, who was idle in the first hour, but his penalty save was surely the turning point of the match.
One last mention goes to national coach Ray Farrugia, who with a rather slim selection at his disposal, had the courage to believe in a couple of youngsters, who are now becoming the backbone of this national team. His emotions ran high at the end of the match, and with tears in his eyes thanked the Maltese public during the flash interview on TVM just after the final whistle.
Malta took the lead on 14 minutes when Rowen Muscat passed from the right towards Paul Fenech who first timed towards Kyrian Nwoko who headed majestically home. Four minutes later another great opportunity for the Maltese with Mbong crossing from the left towards Nwoko, and again his header beat Nielsen but the ball just missed the upright.
With our opponents completely blotted out Paul Fenech passed towards Michael Mifsud who blasted over the bar.
On the hour a cross from the right by Rolantsson caught the Malta defence on the wrong foot, and Hansson's effort destined for the back of the net was blocked by Andrei Agius' hand. The Hibernians stalwart was sent off but Bonello dived to his right to save Hendriksson's shot from the penalty spot.
On 77 minutes Joseph Mbong started the run from his penalty area leaving a trail of Faroe players behind only to be tripped by Gregersen inside the box. There was a glaring silence at Ta' Qali as everyone waited for Steve Borg to take his try from the spot.
The scenes of joy as the Valletta defender put the ball at the back of the net, are hard to describe, especially for a nation who is practically always on the receiving end.
The remaining minutes were endless and the seven-minute stoppage time an eternity, as the Maltese gasped under the Faroes' relentless pressure. The local heroes only conceded on 97 minutes when Jakup Thomsen headed home from close range.
But it was now over. And the wait is finally over too.