Malta earned the first point of the World Cup qualifiers after a scoreless draw against Lithuania at Ta' Qali. The result means that Malta are still in search of the first goal after three matches.
The match was a drab affair with practically no clear cut chance on both end throughout the ninety minutes. Malta's performance was pathetic in the first half but improved a lot in the second half even though the level of play still left much to be desired.
Jones made his return for Malta and played a good match. The defence with Pepe, Carragher and Zach Muscat, had some anxious moments in the first half, but Bonello was rarely tested. Surprise call‐up Keyon Ewurun made his debut and had a good move late in the game, from which Satariano almost snatched a winner.
The calaiming of the first point cane be considered as a positive sign, but the overral performances against Finland and Poland were arguably better. In three days tiem Malta will be back in action against the mighty Netherlands in Groningen where better fare is much needed from the boys in red.
The match had a very slow start with both teams unable to express themselves. Lithuania took the initiative in the opening minutes with their first attempt after eleven minutes through Gineitis but the ball went far from Bonello's far post.
Malta never ventured forward in the first 15 minutes, with the Mbong brothers and Jones never called in action. The first Malta came on 23 minutes when Joseph Mbong passed to Satari‐ ano who darted forward, with Paul Mbong pushing the ball for‐ ward but was anticipated by Vorobjovas.
On the half hour there were some anxious moments in the Malta penalty area but the ball was somehow cleared to safety. On 35 minutes a Gineitis free‐ kick sailed over the bar and sixty seconds later a well executed move with Paulauskas' final shot just missing the base of the upright.
Lithuania was now in full command as the Malta defence struggled to keep our opponents at bay. Three minutes from the break Malta's first shot at goal, a shot from Joseph Mbong that went completely off target.
Seven minutes into the second half a Dolznikov shot beat Bonello bu the ball finished against the crossbar.
On the hour Malta's best move between the Mbong brothers, with Paul's low shot saved by Gertmonas.
On 65 minutes Ryan Camenzuli tried his luck from a distance but the ball went wide. Malta was playing better now. Nine minutes from time Bonello save a Pualauskas central drive. Two minutes later debutant Ewurun passed towards Satariano whose shot just missed the target.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina