Malta beats Faroe Islands 3-2 in Friendly Match

Malta returned to winning ways after their below par performances in their last two World Cup qualifiers, by beating Faroe islands with the odd goal in five for a 3-2 final scoreline. This was Malta's first ever win over the Faroe Islands in four clashes played so far between the two sides.  Malta were superior in the first forty-five minutes and went three goals up by the halfway mark. They then controlled most of the second half and looked as if they were heading towards a comfortable win. Faroe islands however came back with two goals in the last 10 minutes of the match to set up a tense finale. Ryan Fenech opened the scoring for the home side, 17 minutes from the start with a powerful drive from some distance which ended up in the top corner and which gave the opposing goalkeeper no chance to save.  Hardly two minutes had passed when captain Michael Mifsud scored his 39th goal for his country to make it 2-0 after a through pass from Fenech. Malta kept the upper hand and it was no surprise when Jonathan Caruana helped the ball past the goal line from a corner to make it 3-0. Faroe Islands reacted to this and striker Klettskaro twice had the opportunity to reduce the deficit. Once being denied by keeper A. Hogg and then firing wide from an angle. The hosts seemed to ease their efforts at the resumption of play and this gave Faroe islands the chance to get more in the game. Andrew Hogg was tested on two occasions, first by a fierce drive from Udsen and then tipping the ball away with difficulty after an effort by Nattestadt. Hogg was however helpless against Hansson's powerful shot from inside the box, with 10 minutes to go. This goal urged Faroe Islands to press forward and reduce the gap further. Something which they managed with two minutes to go when Baldvinsson drove low to beat Hogg for a 3-2 final scoreline. This was Malta's second win for 2013 and their ninth positive result in their last 10 friendly matches. Full Match Report  International Friendly 'A' Match   Malta  vs. Faroe Islands  FT 3-2 (HT 3-0)   Scorers: R. Fenech 18', M. Mifsud 20', J. Caruana 41' (MLT), H. Hansson 80', R. Baldvinsson (FRO) Venue: Ta' Qali National Stadium   Date: 19/11/2013 Time: 19:00 Hrs       Malta  Faroe Islands  1Andrew Hogg (Gk)1Gunnar Nielsen (GK) 2Caruana Jonathan (G 41')2Jónas Tór Næs  (C) 5Agius Andrei (Y 30')4Rógvi Baldvinsson  (G 87', Y 90+4') 6Fenech Ryan (G 18')5Pól Jóhannus Justinussen 7Failla Clayton3Erling Jacobsen 8Briffa Roderick (Y 10', Sub out 87')8Christian R. Mouritsen  (Sub out 46') 9Mifsud Michael (C) (G 20')9Daniel Udsen  (Sub out 82') 10Cohen Andrew (Sub out 81')6Hallur Hansson  (G 80') 13Schembri Andre7Heini Vatnsdal  (Sub out 87') 14Mintoff John11Páll A. Klettskarð 22Muscat Alex10Klæmint A. Olsen  (Sub out 71')       Substitutes   12Haber Justin (Gk)16Teitur M. Gestsson  (Gk) 3Grioli Justin23Kristian Joensen  (Gk) 11Herrera Edward12Kristin R. Mouritsen 15Borg Jacob13Sonni Ragnar Nattestad  (Sub in 46') 16Bezzina Steve14Karl Løkin  (Sub in 87') 17Camilleri Ryan15Sølvi Vatnhamar  (Sub in 71') 18Vella Terence (Sub in 87')17Rene Joensen  (Sub in 82') 19Scerri Mark (Sub in 81')18Dánjal Á Lakjuni 20Gatt Baldacchino Clifford         Coach    Pietro Ghedin Lars Olsen      Referee   Marcin Borski (FIFA & Poland FA)   Assistant referees   Rafal Rostkowski (FIFA & Poland FA) & Krzysztof Myrmus (FIFA  & Poland FA) Fourth official   Marco Borg (FIFA & MALTA FA)       G: Goal, Y: Yellow, R: Red, Sub in: Substituted in , Sub out: Substituted Out,Missed Pen: Missed Penalty, Scored Pen: Scored Penalty