Malta loses in Torshavn

Malta failed to get the positive result they were looking for as a goal by Rogvi Baldvinsson mid-way through the second half gave the Faroe Islands a narrow win in another match from Group F of the European Qualifiers leading to EURO 2020 at the Torsvollur in Torhsavn on Tuesday.

It was a highly disappointing result for Ray Farrugia’s side as Malta aimed to avoid the bottom spot with a positive result against a team which Malta had managed to beat 2-1 at Ta’ Qali last March. The Faroe Islands now join Malta on the three-point mark with two matches to go.

Malta coach Ray Farrugia made three changes to the team which lost 0-4 to Sweden on Saturday as Steve Borg, Paul Fenech, Jake Grech and Michael Mifsud replaced Kurt Shaw, Joseph Zerafa, Luke Gambin and Alfred Effiong.

Henry Bonello started in goal with Zach Muscat, Steve Borg, Andrei Agius and Joseph Mbong at the back, Dunstan Vella as holding midfielder, Jake Grech, Rowen Muscat, Michael Mifsud and Paul Fenech were employed in midfield with Kyrian Nwoko as the only striker.

Photos:  Copyright © 2019 domenic aquilina

Michael Mifsud had a shot blocked by Vatnsdal on the 18th and five minutes later, the hosts went close to taking the lead on the 23rd minute when Hansson failed to connect off an inviting cross.

Michael Mifsud served Jake Grech who had a shot from outside the area saved by the goalkeeper on the 35th minute and two minutes from the end of the first half, Kyrian Nwoko, served by Grech, had a shot from close range served by Gregersen.

Henry Bonello was superb with a great save at point blank on Viljormur Davidsen following a cross from the right by Joannes Danielsen on the 67th minute.

Four minutes later, the Faroe Islands took the lead when off a Brandur Henriksson corner from the right, Rogvi Baldvinsson headed home past Bonello.

This goal changed the plans of Ray Farrugia’s side since at this point, Malta needed to score a goal. Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat and Michael Mifsud were replaced with Joseph Zerafa, Luke Gambin and Alfred Effiong.

Two minutes from time, Andrei Agius failed to connect off an inviting cross by Joseph Mbong from the right and one minute in added time, Alfred Effiong had a close-range header saved by the goalkeeper following a cross by Zerafa from the left which was deflected by a defender.

Deep into stoppage time, the Faroe Islands could have doubled the score when Klaemint Olsen had a shot from close range blocked by Bonello and off the rebound, Hansson hit incredibly wide.

FAROE ISLANDS Gunnar Nielsen, Viljormur Davidsen (85′ Arni Frederiksberg), Atli Gregersen, Heini Vatnsdal, Hallur Hansson, Brandur Hendriksson, Solvi Vatnhamar, Rogvi Baldvinsson, Joan Edmundsson (85′ Arni Frederiksberg), Joannes Bjartalid (65′ Klaemint Olsen), Joannes Danielsen.

MALTA Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Andrei Agius, Jake Grech, Joseph Mbong, Paul Fenech (71′ Luke Gambin), Michael Mifsud (71′ Alfred Effiong), Kyrian Nwoko, Rowen Muscat (80′ Joseph Zerafa), Dunstan Vella, Zach Muscat.

Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP)
Assistant Referees: Raúl Cabañero, Roberto Alonso (ESP)
Fourth official: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)

6 comments

  1. Malta has managed NOT to end at the bottom of a qualification already 1 . That was in the qualification for World Cup USA 1994 when I was national coach and malta obtained 3 points ( at that time the points system was different ) ahead of Estonia . This was in fact the only time in Maltese football history till today the 15/10 that this has happened.

    Pippo psaila
    Former national coach
    Uefa licensed coach , 76524 Scottish football association , LARGS.

  2. How come the heading of this article reads “we narrowly lost in Torshavn” as if we played the World Champions.. Remember this country is a small country with a small population probably less than the population of Birkirkara. We have to admit that Maltese football is in crisis. To lose to Faroe Islanders is one of the lowest of defeats in Maltese football history. As I have always said too many foreign players are killing the national team. The MFA has questions to answer. We are not good enough..

  3. Jekk se nibqaw narmu l flus fil futbol, andom ikunu il players tat team nazzjonali stess li jiqfu jisirqu flis il poplu malti biex nkomplu naqaw ac cajt . Fil futbol mahniex kapaci, fi ftit kliem disastru nazzjonali flok team nazzjonali fil futbol Malti mandux jintnefaq centezmu iehor U IL FLUS JINTEFQU FUQ SPORT IEHOR MHUX FUQ SPORT LI DEJJEM INDAHKU IN NIES BINA

  4. Inkunu hsibna li ghamilna pass il quddiem u fil verita’ nkunu ghamilna tnejn lura!! Ilbierha il goaler tal Faeroe Islands seta baqa d dar, tal misthija! Nehhejna lil Ghedin ghax kien wisq difensiv…suppost kellna nilaghbu football iktar offensiv, u ghalkemm ma nippretendix affarijiet kbar kontra avversarji ta certu kalibru, ilbierah laghabna kontra tim li nippretendi li nkunu ta periklu ghal lasti taghhom.

    Qabel ikollna dawk l 20 player stabbiliti jilaghbu f kampjonati ta certu livell, nistaw ninsewhom ir rizultati.

    U din naqtawha li ghax zdiedu l barranin fil kampjonat, kollha skuzi. Hawnhekk biss jezisti limitu ta kemm jista jkollok barranin fl iskwadra. Pajjiz bhal cipru, li xi darba konna nqisuh livell taghna, ghamel avvanzi kbar avolja bla limitu fil barranin. Anke fuq livell ta klabbs kellhom improvement konsiderevoli.

    L-aqwa maltin ghandhom imorru jilaghbu barra. l ohrajn li jibqaw hawn jiggieldu ghal posthom mal barranin li jkun hawn. Il Maltin ma jridux barranin halli jkollhom posthom garantit minghajr ma jaghmlu dak l extra effort, biex ikunu jistaw jibqaw igawdu u jixxalaw u jilaghbu xorta ghax il klabbs ma jkollhomx ghazla. Min irid jilghab il football jiehdu bis serjeta’, min irid joqod jixrob u jixxala joqghod id dar jew jintefa hdejna fl istands jara l loghob.

  5. Please sack Farrugia, he is visibly unable to give an identity to the team and to make any kind of result out of the squad.
    Malta needs a foreign coach

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