Another soft goal gives Faroe Islands much-wanted revenge
A soft goal from the usual corner condemned Malta to another defeat in Torshavn, A defeat which will almost certainly mean bottom of the group for Malta. It was a hard result to swallow as frankly no side deserved to win the three points at stake.
Malta played a diligent game for much of the ninety minutes offering practically no shots at goal to our opponents apart from two chances in stoppage time when Malta pushed desperately forward.
This was a defeat that could have easily been avoided, but once again we leave this tiny football island again empty handed. For our opponents it was the much awaited revenge as they sent off their coach Lars Olsen to a great farewell in his last home match after an eight year spell at the helm of the national team.
The Maltese were practically always in control in the first half, holding possession of the ball for long stretches and creating some opportunities which were not adequately finalised. The Faroe Islands tried to find open spaces in the well organised Malta defence, which had five and even six men at the back at times.
Their main danger came from the flanks, especially the left one with Viljormur Davidsen a great headache for Zach and Rowen Muscat. However no side had open scoring chances in the first half, apart from a melee in the Maltese penalty area in stoppage time. In the second half the pattern did not change much with the Maltese in control after the opponents’ initial fury. However with twenty minutes to go Malta suffered the decisive goal from yet another set-piece and the boys in red were not able to recover.
As expected and as promised, coach Ray Farrugia introduced four new players from the initial line up that faced Sweden on Saturday at Ta’ Qali. Veteran striker Michael Mifsud and Paul Fenech who came on as substitutes against Sweden were included in the initial line up, together with Jake Grech and Steve Borg who were rested on Saturday.
Faroe Islands coach Lars Olsen also introduced two new players from the side that played against Romania, Joannes Danielsen and Joan Edmondsson.
Inside the first minute Malta had the first attempt with Jake Grech hitting over the bar. The Maltese held their ground in the opening minutes trying to keep possession of the ball and with Steve Borg trying his luck from a distance.
The first open chance of the match came to Faroe Islands half way through the first half when a freekick from the right by Vatnhamer found Hansson unmarked on the far post, but his header from close range missed the target.
On 35 minutes Malta had a good break with Michael Mifsud passing towards Jake Grech whose low effort was rather weak and easily blocked by goalkeeper Nielsen. In stoppage time Faroe Islands had their best opportunity when a Davidsen move on the left created havoc but Mbong somehow managed to block Hendriksson’s shot.
On the resumptions no changes were made from both sides, with the Faroes piling more pressure in the initial minutes, but the Maltese quickly settled down well and there were practically no attempts at goal.
However on 68 minutes Bonello had to make a great save to block a Davidsen shot from close range following a cross from the right by Danielsen. This was the prelude to the goal that put Faroe Islands in front. A corner from the right was met by Baldvinsson who beat Mbong in the air and headed past a hesitant Bonello.
After this goal Farrugia made two changes with Gambin and Effiong coming for Paul Fenech and Michael Mifsud respectively. On 75 minutes Malta came close with an Nwoko shot from the edge of the area just missing the upright.
In the dying minutes Malta pushed desperately forward but never created scoring opportunities, with Bonello avoiding a second goal with a great save in stoppage time.
A great disappointment for us - Ray Farrugia
The bitter disappointment was more than evident on the faces of the Malta contingent, especially coach Ray Farrugia after yesterday’s bitter result. Ray Farrugia did not beat round the bush and immediately said that this was a disappointing result for Malta.
He still praised the players for their performance especially in the first half. However Farrugia acknowledged that we again were condemned after suffering a goal from a set piece. He said that a defeat is always a defeat and all players are very disappointed.
Farrugia defended his choice of playing Michael Mifsud and Jake Grech behind the main striker Nwoko, saying the plan was for these two to advance and use the space that Nwoko would create. However he acknowledged that we were unable to react after suffering the decisive goal.
Farrugia reiterated that we have to move forward on this project started and continue to introduce young players. He said this is paying off, describing Dunstan Vella’s display as an excellent performance.