Malta came from behind to beat Andorra 2-1 in front of 905 spectators at the Estadi de la FAF in Encamp, Andorra on Thursday in the opening match from Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League.
The hosts were determined to get a positive result from the game and managed to take the lead but the Maltese hit back, creating a number of goal scoring opportunities and after equalising past the half hour, they notched the winner late in the game.
Malta coach Emilio De Leo opted to start with Henry Bonello in goal, Kurt Shaw, Enrico Pepe, Zach Muscat and Ryan Camenzuli at the back, Matthew Guillaumier, Teddy Teuma and Alex Satariano in midfield, Ilyas Chouaref and Paul Mbong on the flanks with Irvin Cardona up front.
photos courtesy of Malta FA
Andorra went close on 10 minutes with Gerard Sola concluding a good move on the right with a diagonal shot from outside the area which ended just wide.
Malta replied with a short free kick by Teddy Teuma for Chouaref who returned the compliment with the Sliema Wanderers midfielder testing goalkeeper Iker Alvarez with a powerful shot from outside the area on 15 minutes. A minute later, a shot from the edge of the area by Matthew Guillaumier ended just wide
However, Andorra managed to take the lead on 17 minutes. Moises San Nicolas concluded a good run on the left with a pass for Aron Rodrigo whose shot was partially saved by Bonello with Guillaume Lopez taking the rebound and slotting past the Malta custodian.
Malta replied with a good move which saw Chouaref serving Teuma from the left and the latter exchanged the ball with Guillaumier inside the area but was anticipated by the goalkeeper on 20 minutes. Four minutes later, Chouaref tested Alvarez with a free kick from the left. However, on 26 minutes, Andorra threatened once again with a Gerard Sola attempt from inside the area which ended high.
Malta notched the equaliser on 36 minutes. Teddy Teuma delivered a cross from the left and Irvin Cardona controlled the ball, despite being surrounded by two defenders, and beat goalkeeper Alvarez with a fine volley.
Two minutes from the end of the first half, Malta missed an excellent opportunity to double the score when Chouaref entered the area but provided Zach Muscat with a back pass and the Birkirkara captain served Matthew Guillaumier who was all alone on the left but hit incredibly high.
The Maltese held the initiative in the second half and on the hour, off a Teuma cross from the left, Cardona flicked the ball but Alvarez saved. Nine minutes later, Jordi Alaez served Albert Rosas whose powerful shot scraped past the post while on 72 minutes, Corbalan served Chouaref on the right and off the latter’s pass, Satariano’s low shot was parried by the Andorran goalkeeper.
Substitute Keyon Ewurum went close to putting Malta ahead on 77 minutes when following a cross from the right, Teuma served the young Valletta winger who controlled well but his close-range effort was blocked by the goalkeeper but two minutes later, Bonello came to the rescue blocking a Jordi Alaez effort.
Nine minutes from time, Malta made it 2-1. Brandon Paiber served Irvin Cardona on the right and off the latter’s assist, Teddy Teuma beat Alvarez with a diagonal shot.
Malta had a golden opportunity to increase the lead on 85 minutes when Ilyas Chouaref was brought down inside the area when challenged by Borra and Martinez; referee Joey Kooij ordered a penalty but Chouaref hit high from the penalty spot.
Substitute Eric Vales tried his luck with a long-distance effort which was however parried by Bonello on 88 minutes while in added time, Ilyas Chouaref concluded a good move on the left flank with a shot from the edge of the area which was parried by Alvarez.
ANDORRA Iker Alvarez, Biel Borra, Pau Babot, Max Llovera, Guillaume Lopez (67’ Albert Rosas), Moises San Nicolas (87’ Alex Cornella), Eric De Las Heras (67’ Jordi Alaez), Aron Rodrigo, Gerard Sola (76’ Alexandre Martinez), Ian Olivera (87’ Francisco Pomares), Ot Remolins (87’ Eric Vales).
MALTA Henry Bonello, Ryan Camenzuli, Kurt Shaw, Matthew Guillaumier, Paul Mbong (74’ Keyon Ewurum), Teddy Teuma (89’ Jake Grech), Irvin Cardona, Enrico Pepe, Ilyas Chouaref, Zach Muscat (46’ Juan Corbalan), Alex Satariano (74’ Brandon Paiber).
Referee: Joey Kooij NED
Assistant Referees: Dyon Fikkert, Murat Kucukerbir NED
Fourth Official: Jannick Van Der Laan NED
VAR: RIchard Martens NED
Assistant VAR: Robin Hensgens NED