Two second half goals gave Malta a precious win against San Marino.

The match kicked off Malta’s commitments in the Nations League, League D, group 2.

San Marino had also been beaten 2-0 by Estonia, the other team in the group.

Malta got off to a winning start in the UEFA nations League beating a stubborn defensive minded San Marino side by two second half goals. The two substitutions made at the break by national coach Devis Mangia paid rich dividends, with Jan Busuttil breaking the deadlock with a great goal on the hour and Juan Corbalan providing Matthew Guillaumier with the right cross for his header to seal the issue with a second goal.

Malta had all the pressure as the match in Serravalle was a must win for the boys in red before next Thursday’s match at Ta’ Qali against Estonia, a do or die match in this group. With san Marino surely the weaker team in the group next Thursday’s match and the return in Tallinn in September will surely determine the group winner.

Malta was always in control of the match with San Marino’s intensions clear from the start, that of trying to block the Maltese attacks and try to snatch a draw. They managed to frustrate the Maltese in the first fourty five minutes, with the Maltese players plucky at times and making many mistakes in the final passes.

Mangia completely revolutionized the team that faced Venezuela in friendly last Wednesday. Ryan Camenzuli and Teddy Teuma were suspended, Henry Bonello returned in goal, with Pepe, Steve Borg and Jean Borg forming the back three. Joseph Mbong and Magri Overend played on the flanks with Mbong having a good start but then faded away after suffering an early yellow card, with Mangia opting for the substitution in the interval

In midfield Matthew Guillaumier was outstanding with the player showing great personality apart from scoring the second goal that closed the match. Dunstan Vella partnered with Guillaumier in midfield, with Paiber in an advanced position behind the main strikers Satariano and Jurgen Degabriele.

Although dominated the first half the Maltese did not create scoring opportunities with San Marino growing in confidence. On the resumption Mangia introduced Jan Busuttil and Juan Corbalan for Dunstan Vella and Joseph Mbong. Busuttil immediately showed that his talents will create problems to the San Marino rearguard.

The VAR saved Malta from a great injustice on 55 minutes when the referee from Azerbaijan pointed to the penalty spot when Nanni fell inside our penalty area when followed by Steve Borg. It was evident from the start that there was no contact between the two players but the referee still pointed to the penalty spot. Luckily the VAR came to our rescue with the referee having no other option but to change his decision.

Four minutes later Malta took the lead. Jan Busuttil was served by Guillaumier and the Floriana striker weaved his way forward beating a couple of defenders before placing the ball at the back of the net with a precise grounder.

The match was practically over as San Marino had nothing to offer in attack. The Maltese found more open spaces now as they started to play with more confidence and fifteen minutes from time Guillaumier crowned a great performance when he headed home an inch perfect cross from Juan Corbalan.

 

SAN MARINO

E. Benedettini

M. Battistini (L. Censoni 85’)

L. Ceccaroli (F. Tommasini 68’)

M. Cevoli

A. D’Addario (T. Zafferani 68’)

A. Golinucci

L. Lunadei

N. Nanni (M. Bernardi 85’)

M. Palazzi

D. Rinaldi (J. Hirsch 80’)

D. Rossi

 

MALTA

H. Bonello

S. Borg

E. Pepe (F. Apap 90’)

J. Borg (Z. Muscat 69’)

J. Mbong (J. Corbalan 46’)

A. Magri Overend

M. Guillaumier (N. Muscat 87’)

D. Vella (J. Busuttil 46’)

B. Paiber

J. Degabriele

A. Satariano

 

Referee: A. Aliyev (Azerbaijan)

Scorers: J. Busuttil 59’, M. Guillaumier 75’

Yellow cards: J. Mbong, A. Satariano, D. Rossi, A. Golinucci, B. Paiber

Malta will host Estonia on Thursday.

Photo Domenic Aquilina