Malta was held in a 1-1 draw by Eswatini in a friendly match at the National Stadium on Thursday despite the visitors, currently ranked just four places behind Malta, having to play in ten men for an hour.
This match formed part of the Malta national team’s preparation ahead of the final match from Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League against Gibraltar and coach Emilio De Leo opted to rest a number of players like Henry Bonello, Joseph Mbong, Teddy Teuma, Ilyas Chouaref and Irvin Cardona, including them, apart from Bonello, as substitutes. Ryan Camenzuli was left out of the squad as he recovers from a slight injury.
Goalkeeper James Sissons was handed a first start, Zach Muscat, Kurt Shaw, Gabriel Mentz and Myles Beerman were employed at the back with Matthew Guillaumier and Alexander Satarainao as holding midifielders and with Kevin Cannavo, Paul Mbong and Keyon Ewurum behind forward Andrea Zammit.
Photos courtesy of Malta FA
Malta held more possession in the opening minutes but Eswatini threatened on 5 minutes when Thubelihle Mavuso, served on the left, had an a diagonal shot ending just wide and went lose once again on 16 minutes as Neliswa Dlamini served Justice Figariedo whose fine rising shot ended over the bar. Malta replied with a cross shot by Kevin Cannavo which was parried by goalkeeper Dlamini on 18 minutes.
A free kick by Matthew Guillaumier on 27 minutes was partially saved by the Eswatini goalkeeper with a defender anticipating Kurt Shaw turning the ball into a corner and from the resulting corner, a fine volley by the same Guillaumier ended high.
The visitors were reduced to ten men on 29 minutes after defender Gift Gamedze was sent off for a foul on Keyon Ewurum outside the area However just past the half hour, Eswatini were unlucky not to take the lead with a Justice Figareido effort from the edge of the area hitting the upright following a deflection by Sissons.
Malta’s reaction consisted of a good move between Andrea Zammit and Paul Mbong with the latter’s effort ending hitting the side netting on 39 minutes.
However, Eswatini managed to take the lead on 45 minutes thanks to captain Philani Mkhontfo who beat goalkeeper Sissone with a powerful shot in the top left corner following a good run and a perfect assist by Figareido who managed to avoid Mentz’s tackle.
Malta equalised one minute in the second half. Paul Mbong delivered a cross from the left and substitute Basil Tuma – one of four changes for Malta for the beginning of the second half – headed home past goalkeeper Dlamini.
A free kick by Steve Pisani was saved in two attempts by the Eswatini goalkeeper four minutes later. James Sissons, on the other hand, saved a cross shot by Mkhontfo from the right on 53 minutes. Myles Beerman tested Dlamini with a free kick from the right on 57 minutes and a minute later, the Eswatini custodian neutralised a cross shot by Paul Mbong.
Malta went close once again on 63 minutes with another Basil Tuma header off an inviting cross by Irvin Cardona but on 70 minutes, Sissons came to the rescue as he neutralised a powerful shot by Figareigo from the right.
Goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini managed to turn into a corner a fine Carlo Zammit Lonardelli header following a free kick by Teuma from the right on 77 minutes. Five minutes from time, Malta missed a good opportunity by Tuma after receiving a great pass by Cardona from the left. A diagonal shot by Cardona from the right ended just wide with one minute to go.
MALTA James Sissons, Gabriel Mentz (63’ Mattias Ellul), Kurt Shaw (46’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Matthew Guillaumier (46’ Steven Pisani), Paul Mbong (63’ Irvin Cardona), Andrea Zammit (46’ Basil Tuma), Kevin Cannavo (46’ Joseph Mong), Myles Beerman (76’ Ilyas Chouaref), Keyon Ewurum (76’ Jake Azzopardi), Zach Muscat (76’ Enrico Pepe), Alexander Satariano (63’ Teddy Teuma).
ESWATINI Sibusiso Dlamini, Siphephelo Philiso Newman, Neliswa Senzo Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso, Justice Figareido (83’ Nkosingiphile Shongwe), Philani Mkhontfo (83’ Senanelo Nkambule), Sizwe Khumalo Yeki (66’ Sambulo Simelane), Gift Gamedze, Kwakhe Thwala, Simanga Masangane, Nkosinathi Shongwe.
Referee: Gustavo Correia POR
Assistant Referees: Andre Filipe Nogueira Dias and Tiago Costa POR
Fourth official: Matthew De Gabriele