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Gutsy Malta end UNL campaign with draw against Faroe Islands

Published: 20-11-2018 22:35
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20.11.2018National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, UEFA Nations LeagueGroup Stage - League D - Group 3MALTA                     1FAROE ISLANDS    1(HT 1-1) 0-1 R.Joenssen 3; 1-1 J.Corbalan 4. Malta produced a gutsy performance in a 1-1 draw against Faroe Islands in their final UEFA Nations League Group D3 match at the National Stadium. It was the third draw for Malta in this group, won convincingly by Kosovo who hammered Azerbaijan 4-0 on Tuesday to secure promotion to League C and a place in the Euro 2020 play-offs.  National coach Ray Farrugia made five changes from the Kosovo defeat on Saturday. At the back, Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Camilleri and Jonathan Caruana made way for Clayton Failla, Steve Borg and Andrei Agius with the latter two returning from suspension. Paul Fenech and Michael Mifsud played instead of Roderick Briffa and Luke Gambin respectively. The match was also the 94th and last cap for Andrè Schembri in the Malta colours as the forward recently announced that he was retiring from international football after the UEFA Nations League. Schembri was handed the captain's armband by Michael Mifsud. Malta endured a difficult start as three minutes into the game, Rene Joenssen shook off his marker to head the visitors into an early 0-1 advantage after a cross from the right of Gilli Rolantsson. Barely a minute later, Juan Corbalan equalised with a low drive after Michael Mifsud’s angled shot was fisted away by Faroe Islands goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen. In the 27th minute, an angled Clayton Failla shot from 25 metres out was saved by Nielsen. Solvi Vatnhamar’s header on 36 minutes, after a cross from the left, just missed the target in what was a balanced first half. Malta made a bright start to the second half.The first scoring opportunity after the half-time break came the way of Corbalan whose drive from just outside the box surprised goalkeeper Nielsen but struck the crossbar. In 57th and 64th minutes, Hallur Hansson had two good shots from the distance but his efforts wre marginally wide.  Zach Muscat had to leave the pitch injured on 66 minute. He was replaced by Jonathan Caruana. Six minutes later Andrei Agius's strike from the edge of the box lacked the power to surprise Nielsen. Malta’s best opportunity came from Michael Mifsud with 16 minutes remaining. The veteran striker was sent through on the left, beat his marker but his shot was blocked by Nielsen. Farrugia threw more men forward as Malta pressed for a winner but Faroe Islands held firm. MALTAA. Hogg, S. Borg, A. Agius, Z. Muscat, (J. Caruana 66’), C. Failla, (K. Nwoko 80'),  J. Mbong, R. Muscat, P. Fenech, J. Corbalan, (J. Zerafa 78’), A. Schembri, M. Mifsud.Coach: Raymond Farrugia FAROE ISLANDSG. Nielsen, V. Davidsen, A. Gregersen, R. Nattestad, (O. Faero 83’), J. Thomsen, (K. Olsen 75’), H. Vatnsdal, (K. Bartallstovu 67’), S. Vatnhamar, H. Hansson, B. Hendriksson, G. Rolantsson, R. Joensen. Referee: Vitali Meshkov (Russia).