Malta defeated Liechtenstein 2-0 in a frienly match at the National Stadium in front of 1953 spectators.
The Maltese were a better side but Liechtenstein, who were coming from a 0-2 defeat to Lithuania in their opening game of the UEFA Nations League., had the opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty which they missed. The locals took full advantage, scoring one in each half to secure a third successive win after the win over Azerbaijan in June and the win over Andorra on Sunday.
photo courtesy of Malta FA
In view of the remaining two UEFA Nations League matches in programme on Thursday and Sunday against Gibraltar and Andorra respectively, Malta coach Emilio De Leo opted to rest the players who started the game in Andorra, starting with eleven different players.
Rashed Al-Tumi started in goal with Juan Corbalan, Gabriel Mentz, Jean Borg and Myles Beerman at the back, Valletta duo Brandon Paiber and Jake Azzopardi in midfield with the returning Joseph Mbong, Jake Grech and Keyon Ewurum supporting Basil Tuma.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes after Jake Azzopardi floored Kenny Kindle inside the area but Nicolas Hasler hit wide from the penalty spot.
Malta replied with a cross ny Juan Corbalan from the right with Joseph Mbong heading just wide on 15 minutes. A minute later, Azzopardi sent Corbalan through on the right but the Marsaxlokk right back ended on the ground when challenged by goalkeeper Ospelt. However the referee waved play on.
A powerful drive by Jake Azzopardi ended over the bar on 25 minutes and seven minutes later, Gabriel Mentz flicked the ball just wide off a Brandon Paiber corner from the right.
Malta managed to take the lead on 37 minutes. Jake Grech, served by Keyon Ewurum from the left had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper but the Maltese regained possession and Brandon Paiber served Jake Grech who hit hard past goalkeeper Justin Ospelt.
Joseph Mbong tested goalkeeper Ospelt with a low shot from the edge of the area five minutes in the second half and eight minutes later, Andrea Zammit had a shot from the right turned into a corner by the goalkeeper.
However, Malta doubled the score on 63 minutes when substitute Andrea Zammit concluded a good move by entering the area and rounding the goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the net.
MALTA Rashed Al-Tumi (77’ James Sissons), Jean Borg (67’ Kean Scicluna), Gabriel Mentz (76’ Zach Muscat), Joseph Mbong (67’ Adam Magri Overend), Jake Grech (84’ Matthew Guillaumier), Brandon Paiber (76” Kevin Cannavo), Myles Beerman (84’ Ryan Camenzuli), Jake Azzopardi, Keyon Ewurum (46’ Paul Mbong), Juan Corbalan (46’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Basil Tuma (46’ Andrea Zammit).
LIECHTENSTEIN Justin Ospelt, Max Goppel (61’ Florian Allgauer), Lars Traber (76’ Jonas Weissenhofer) Marcel Buchel (61’ Severin Schlegel) Alessandro Lo Russo (61’ Aron Sele), Kenny Kindle (46’ Fabio Luque-Notaro), Livio Meier (76’ Niklas Beck), Andrin Netzer (76’ Bruno Poitner), Liam Kranz (61’ Alessio Hasler), Nicolas Hasler (46’ Emanuel Zund), Jens Hofer.
Referee: Daniyar Sakhi (KAZ)
Assistant referees: Samat Tergeussizov, Sergey Kalachyov (KAZ)
Fourth official: Alex Johnson (MLT)