Spirited Malta go down with a goal in each half
A spirited Malta side went down yesterday at Hampden Park with the Scots scoring an early goal in each half. Scotland needed the three points at stake badly to keep hoping for a second place in the group, and they managed to do so with a typical aggressive match.
After suffering an early goal from a corner action the Maltese never lost their composure trying to play the ball, even though this was no easy task. Playing with the same set-up as last Friday the Maltese five-man defensive group played a very good game. Samuel Magri, Zach Muscat and Andrei Agius had many a problem to solve but came out with flying colours with Andrei Agius arguably the best player on the field of play.
On the flanks, Joseph Zerafa had an exceptional match too, with Steve Borg his usual aggressive self, even though erratic at times especially in the first half.
Andrew Hogg in goal had a busy evening too, but was always on the alert and practically had no fault in the two goals suffered.
In midfield Steve Pisani played his heart out, together with Bjorn Kristensen. Ryan Fenech had a good distribution of the ball and good vision of play, even though many a time our midfield was outnumbered by the Scots.
In attack the returning Alfred Effiong did all he could with his powerful runs, and had some good combinations with Andre Schembri. Effiong had the best chance for Malta but failed to hit home the rebound following a Zerafa good effort. Substitute Luke Gambin also had a good impact when he came on as a substitute on 71 minutes.
National coach Pietro Ghedin made only one change from the first 11 faced England on Friday, with striker Alfred Effiong, who was serving a suspension against England, playing instead of the Chiasso striker Jean Paul Farrugia.
Scottish manager Gordon Strachan confirmed the first 11 utilised in the good performance and victory in Vilnius against Lithuania on Friday, a formation based on the Celtic block with six players from the Scottish champions in the initial line-up.
The first Scottish attempt came after five minutes with Armstrong’s grounder from the edge of the area going just wide.
Two minutes later Scotland almost took the lead when Hogg partially save a dangerous cross from the left and Zach Muscat providentially blocked McArthur’s drive.
The Scots were now all over the place and Hogg saved a Forrest shot and from the resultant corner on nine minutes defender Christophe Berra headed powerfully home.
Effiong tried a solitary run but was overcrowded by five Scottish defenders and on 13 minutes an Armstrong shot hit the side netting.
After a rather good patch for the Maltese who gained a couple of corners, Samuel Magri almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear a low cross from Forrest.
Malta controlled well for the rest of the first half with Andrew Hogg making a good save off a Matthew Phillips fierce drive 30 seconds from the break.
No changes were done at the break with Scotland going all out for an early second goal which they obtained after four minutes with a slick move on the left flank with Forrest’s shot hitting the base of the upright and Leigh Griffiths was on hand to slot the ball home from the rebound.
Malta had a rare good opportunity two minutes later with Andre Schembri passing towards Steve Pisani whose effort from the edge of the area went slightly over the bar. On 54 minutes Hogg dived to save a Forrest grounder.
On 66 minutes Hogg again came to Malta’s rescue when Griffiths outpaced Andrei Agius, but the Malta custodian saved his low drive.
Five minutes later Ghedin made the first substitution with Gambin coming in for Schembri, with Andrei Agius inheriting the captain’s arm band.
On 75 minutes Malta had a very good move with Gambin opening well towards Joseph Zerafa who tested Gordon and from the rebound Effiong failed to score with his feeble effort again blocked by Gordon.
Scotland continued to attack in the dying minutes but luckily Malta avoided the mistakes committed against England to hold on to an honourable defeat.