Malta 3
Liechtenstein 0
Malta: J. Galea, J. Borg (K. Micallef 28’), N. Tabone, S. Borg, J. Grech (J. Busuttil 77’), M. Mifsud (A. Satariano 60’), S. Pisani (R. Muscat 60’), J. Corbalan, B. Kristensen, S. Dimech {J.P. Farrugia 77’), T. Caruana.
Liechtenstein: T. Hobi, D. Brandl, M. Goppel, A. Malin, R. Kardesoglu, A. Sele, M. Buchel (A. Marxer 86’), S. Yildiz, F. Wolfinger, N. Hasler, S. Wolfinger (A. Netzer 78’).
Referee: Manfredas Lukjancukas (Lithuania)
Scorers: M. Mifsud 4’, S. Borg 20’, J.P. Farrugia 84’ pen
Yellow cards: J. Corabalan, T. Caruana, M. Goppel, R. Kardesoglu, A. Sele
Michael Mifsud was on the mark again in his farewell game. After barely four minutes into the game that marked his 143rd and last appearance, Mifsud well served by Kristensen, beat a defender to hit home with the ball hitting the base of the upright before finishing at the back of the net.
It was Michael Mifsud’s 42nd and last goal with the national red jersey. A fitting finale to a player who is a living legend for local football. From then on Malta did not look back adding another one on twenty minutes and closing the match in the dying minutes from the penalty spot after a gift decision by the Lithuanian referee.
On the hour Michael Mifsud was substituted, ending his brilliant career. What a pity that there were no spectators at the National Stadium. Surely Mifsud deserved a standing ovation from the local followers, but it was not to be.
For Malta this was the perfect tonic for the next commitments in the UEFA Nations League against Andorra on Saturday and Faroe Islands the following Wednesday. Coach Devis Mangia is leaving his mark with yet another positive display and the fifth consecutive positive result. This was also Malta’s fifth clash with Liechtenstein and the Maltese have now won four and drew one.
Mangia made many changes to the side, which however did not lose its shape and strategy. Triston Caruana, Steve Borg and Jean Borg formed the back three, with the latter again injuring his hamstring and was substituted by Karl Micallef after 28 minutes.
Corbalan and debutant Neil Tabone helped on the flanks, with Krsitensen, Grech, Dimech and Pisani behind the main striker Michael Mifsud.
Photos: Domenic Aquilina
Inside the first minute Jake Galea was called in action to block a Fabio Wolfinger shot. But the Maltese quickly settled down and on four minutes took the lead when Bjorn Kristensen won the ball from a Liechtenstein throw in and served Michael Mifsud who finished in style.
Two minutes later Kristensen tried his luck from a distance but the ball went over the bar. Liechtenstein failed to worry the Malta defence, except for some good runs by Kardesuglu. On 20 minutes Malta doubled the score. Pisani floated a precise freekick for Steve Borg who headed powerfully home.
On 24 minutes Kardesoglu almost beat Steve Borg on the run, but Jake Galea cam to the rescue with a well-timed sortie. Six minutes from the break Jake Grech served Shaun Dimech who managed top shoot from an acute angle but Hobi blocked well.
The second half was more quite with the Malta team controlling the tempo of the match. Liechtenstein increased the pressure but to no effect as the Malta defence had a rather calm evening.
On 78 Goppel almost scored a stunner when he tried a lob from mid pitch with Jake Galea out of position, but luckily the ball landed on the roof of the net. Six minutes from time Jean Paul Farrugia tried to dribble his way in the penalty area but the ball was handled by defender Brandle outside the area, but the referee was very generous with the boys in red awarding the penalty.
From the spot the same Jean Paul Farrugia made not mistake with the ball hitting the upright before finishing at the back of the net.