Malta scored three goals in the first half to beat the Faroe Islands 3-2 in a friendly match in front of a few hundreds of supporters at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
The locals seemed to be heading towards a most comfortable win after scoring three in the first half but then risked a comeback by the Faroe Islands who scored twice in the final ten minutes. This was the first ever win for Malta against the Faroe Islands after the latter had defeated Malta in three previous occasions.
Ghedin opted to start with Andrew Hogg in goal, Andrei Agius and Jonathan Caruana as central defenders with Alex Muscat and Clayton Failla on the flanks; Ryan Fenech and Roderick Briffa as holding midfielders with John Mintoff, Andre Schembri and Andrew Cohen in midfield behind sole striker Michael Mifsud.
The locals had the first attempt at goal on the 12th minute with a shot by Andrew Cohen from outside the area saved by Gunnar Nielsen.
Five minutes later, Malta took the lead thanks to a powerful drive by Ryan Fenech which gave the Faroese goalkeeper no chance.
Malta doubled the score on the 20th when Michael Mifsud concluded a good move, in which he rounded two defenders, with a fine shot which ended at the back of the net.
The visitors replied with a Klettskaro effort when served by Olsen from the right on 33 minutes but Hogg blocked his attempt.
However four minutes from the end of the first half, Malta scored the third goal thanks to Jonathan Caruana who hit the ball home from close range after Cohen and Schembri exchanged the ball on the right.
On the other side of the pitch, a Klettskaro effort from the edge of the area scraped past the post.
In the second half, the Maltese took a rather relaxed approach as shots at goal were becoming quite rare.
However ten minutes from time, the visitors pulled one back thanks to a goal by Hallur Hansson.
Rogvi Baldvinsson reduced the gap further on 87 minutes with a shot which hit the posts before ending at the back of the net.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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MALTA Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Andrei Agius, Ryan Fenech, Clayton Failla, Roderick Briffa (89′ Terence Vella), Michael Mifsud, Andrew Cohen (81′ Mark Scerri), Andre Schembri, John Mintoff, Alex Muscat.
FAR OER Gunnar Nielsen, Jonas Tor Naes, Rogvi Bladvinsson, Pol Johannus Justinssen, Erling Jacobsen, Christian Mouritsen (46′ Sonni Ragnar Nattestad), Daniel Udsen (82′ Rene Joensen), Hallur Hansson, Heini Vatnsdal (86′ Karl Lokin), Pall Klettskaro, Klaemint Olsen (71′ Solvi Vatnhamar).
Referee: Marcin Borski (POL)
Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar / MFA
