Malta set to play two friendly matches in October, November

Malta is expected to play two friendly matches, one in October and another in November, against Gibraltar and Liechtenstein respectively, as part of the preparations for the UEFA Nations League Group D1 commitments.

Following the appointment of Devis Mangia as the new national coach, Malta was due to play friendly matches against Gibraltar and Azerbaijan in March and another three matches in June, including one against Portugal. However these were all called off.

Photo: © Domenic Aquilina/MFA

There were no other slots for friendly matches in the Men’s International Match Calendar. However, last month, the FIFA Council agreed to:

  • proceed with the September 2020 window as planned, subject to continued monitoring of the situation;
  • extend the October 2020 and November 2020 windows by one day in order to facilitate the playing of three games instead of the current two

This means that there are two new extra slots on October 7/8 and November 11/12.

Malta plays its first UEFA Nations League match against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn on September 3, following by another Nations League clash with Latvia at Ta’ Qali on September 6.

Ahead of the two games away from home against Andorra on October 10 and Latvia on October 13, Malta is expected to play Gibraltar in a friendly game on October 7. 

On the other hand, ahead of the final two home matches against Andorra on November 14 and the Faroe Islands on November 17, Malta will be playing a friendly match against Liechtenstein on November 11.