Zach Muscat leads Malta to victory over Ukraine
Ukraine Malta 0 1
A Zach Muscat headed goal after 14 minutes gave Malta a big boost yesterday, ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in Llubjana as it proved to be the winner in a victory against the Ukraine.
Italian mentor Pietro Ghedin led his side to such a prestigious win against all odds. He had said before the match, that Shevchenko’s side would be a hard nut to crack, but the way the Maltese played yesterday was certainly very encouraging in view of the match against Slovenia next Saturday.
The Maltese played their hearts out showing great determination and coordination throughout.
The match was played in front of an almost empty stadium in the Graz Stadium in Austria – there were only a few scores of Ukrainians in the stands, as well as a few Maltese.
In the first half Malta was mostly on the defensive, where they were well organised with Andre Agius a dominant figure in the heart of the defence.
The Maltese covered well at the back as goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was never seriously tested by Shevchenko’s men, even if Armolenko, on the right, and Seleznev, on the left, provided Alex Muscat and Clayton Failla with some anxious moments.
The Maltese took the lead on 14 minutes through Zach Muscat and from then onwards, they played with great confidence. Near the end of the first half, they were also denied a penalty when Ukraine’s goalkeeper appeared to have floored Andre Schembri in the area, but the official only awarded Malta a corner.
In the second half, Ukraine once again forced Malta on the defensive, but the Maltese did not yield an inch and kept battling all the way.
Our defence remained cool under the Ukrainian pressure with Agius and Zach Muscat commanding the central approaches.
Ghedin made several changes during the second half and also gave the chance to Dale Camilleri, Johan Bezzina and Myles Beerman to make their international debut.
The Ukrainians, obviously, had the upper hand and Malta had to be alert from the opening minutes as Failla blocked a dangerous incursion by Yarmolenko.
On the ninth minute, Hogg saved a central freekick by Seleznev. A minute later, at the other end, Effiong crossed low for Schembri, but a defender managed to clear in extremis before the Malta captain could conclude.
After Seleznev hit the side netting with a header, it was Malta who shocked the Ukrainians in the 14th minute when following a short corner, Zach Muscat headed home an Alex Muscat cross.
The first real chance for Ukraine arrived in the 27th minute when from a Yarmolenko cross, Morozyuk mishit with Agius harassing him close by.
Six minutes later, Effiong headed off target and then it was Agius who saved the Malta fort, twice clearing two dangerous crosses.
And in the 38th minute, the Balzan striker saw his angled effort hitting the side netting.
In the 42nd minute, Kristensen passed badly and short to goalie Hogg, but the Hibs custodian rushed out of his charge to dive at Armolenko’s feet to avoid an awkward situation.
In the 43rd minute, Schembri advanced in the Ukrainian area and on dribbling the goalie, he was floored, but the official awarded Malta just a corner.
In added time, Seleznev had a good chance to level matters for Ukraine, but he hit wide with only Hogg to beat.
At the start of the second half, the Ukrainians attacked in search of an equaliser, but the Maltese remained well organised at the back.
Substitute goalkeeper Henry Bonello was called into action to save a shot from Sydorcuk on 56 minutes, and then had to dive sideways to turn to corner a Seleznev effort.
The Ukrainians attacked for long stretches, but could not find a way past a determined and well organised Malta defence.
The closest they went to level the score was three minutes from the end when substitute V. Shepeliev saw his effort from an ideal position going wide.
In the final minutes, they exerted a lot of pressure in search of a face saving equaliser, but Malta held on gamely to register a highly prestigious albeit unexpected win. Malta lined up as follows: Hogg (Bonello), A. Muscat (M. Beerman), Z. Muscat, A. Agius, C. Failla (J. Zerafa); B. Kristensen (D. Camilleri), S. Borg (S. Magri), S. Pisani, R. Fenech (J. Bezzina), A. Schembri (L. Gambin), A. Effiong (M. Mifsud).