Malta to play friendly match against Northern Ireland

Malta will be playing a friendly match against Northern Ireland on February 6th at Ta’ Qali as part of the preparations ahead of the two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in programme in March against Bulgaria and Italy.

This was revealed by the Irish FA in a statement on Wednesday.

The two teams met six times – four World Cup qualifiers and two friendly matches. The last encounter goes back to August 2005 when Malta and Northern Ireland shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Ta’ Qali.

Meanwhile Malta will play Bulgaria on March 22 away from home before hosting Italy at Ta’ Qali on March 26.

After these two games, Malta will travel to Armenia for the final World Cup qualifier for this season on June 6. The possibility of another friendly match before this game is not ruled out.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar