Some defensive errors by the Malta boys helped Northern Ireland to an easy win over Malta in a friendly international in Klagenfurt Austria, were the Maltese are staging a training camp.

This was the first match for the Maltese players after an almost three-month absence, since the abrupt end of the local Premier League in the first week of March. Surely this lack of fitness and match practice had its toll on the performance of the Malta squad, who surely can only improve in the forthcoming matches, starting from the one against Kosovo on Friday.

The start could’nt have been worse with the Irish taking the lead inside the second minute. A Maltese defensive lapse with Ferdinando Apap’s erratic pass in the centre towards Jones who made no mistake beating the bewildered Bonello.

The Maltese found it hard to settle down with the high pressing and tempo of the Northern Ireland players upsetting the locals. However slowly the Maltese started to

come to grips with the situation and on seven minutes a Satariano feeble effort was easily blocked by Peacock-Farrell.

On 16 minutes another effort by the Maltese this time from Mbong who had a good run on the right flank, but his effort was slightly off target. Five minutes later a Shaw tackle on White awarded the Irish with a golden opportunity as Austrian referee Gishamer awarded the penalty.

But Magennis’ fierce but central drive from the penalty spot was blocked by Henry Bonello. This was a boost for the Maltese who could have levelled matters three minutes later with a good move from Mbong towards Montebello who hit the side netting.

Six minutes from the break another good opportunity for Malta with Mbong failing connect on the far post to a long ball from Montebello.

No changes were made at the start of the second half and Malta suffered a second avoidable goal on 52 minutes, when again the Malta defence was caught napping with ample spaces on the right flank, with Whyte beating Bonello with a low drive from close range.

This goal was surely a hard blow for the Maltese who suffered another goal two minutes later, with yet again the static Malta defence caught on the wrong foot and McCann drilled home from close range.

These two quick goals killed all interest the match had with both sides making several changes in the remaining minutes. Northern Ireland were more dangerous as they

pushed for more goals but the Malta rear guard somehow managed to keep their opponents at bay.

Photo: Stephen Gatt