Despite all the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the final months of 2020 regaled some memorable footballing moments as the national team ended the year with a series of positive results, going on a seven-match unbeaten run under coach Devis Mangia. These are some interesting facts and figures about the national team’s highlights in 2020 (Part 1).
MANGIA’S RECORD 22 – Devis Mangia is the 22nd coach to take charge of the national team.Debut – 03.09.2020 v Faroe Islands 2-3 (Torsvollur – Torshavn) – UEFA Nations LeagueMatches (8)03.09.2020 v Faroe Islands 2-3 – Trosvollur – Torshavn (UNL)06.09.2020 v Latvia 1-1 – National Stadium (UNL)07.10.2020 v Gibraltar 2-0 – National Stadium (F)10.10.2020 v Andorra 0-0 – Estadi Nacional – Andorra La Vella (UNL)13.10.2020 v Latvia 1-0 – Daugava Stadium – Riga (UNL)11.11.2020 v Liechtenstein 3-0 – National Stadium (F)14.11.2020 v Andorra 3-1 – National Stadium (UNL)17.11.2020 v Faroel Islands 1-1 – National Stadium (UNL) TotalPlayed (8) – Won (4) – Draws (3) – Lost (1) – Goals For (13) – Goals Against (6) UEFA Nations LeaguePlayed (6) – Won (2) – Draws (3) – Lost (1) – Goals For (8) – Goals Against (6) FriendliesPlayed (2) – Won (2) – Draws (0) – Lost (0) – Goals For (5) – Goals Against (0) 7 matches unbeaten – record for the longest unbeaten run, eclipsing the previous record set under Sigfried Held between 2001 and 2002AVERAGE AGE PER GAME03.09.2020 v Faroe Islands 2-3 – (26.76)06.09.2020 v Latvia 1-1 – (27.15)07.10.2020 v Gibraltar 2-0 – (25.07)10.10.2020 v Andorra 0-0 – (26.89)13.10.2020 v Latvia 1-0 – (26.14)11.11.2020 v Liechtenstein 3-0 – (25.78)14.11.2020 v Andorra 3-1 – (25.20)17.11.2020 v Faroel Islands 1-1 – (25.79) 34 PLAYERS USED BY MANGIA7 matches – Ryan Camenzuli (600 mins) – Joseph Mbong (571) – Steve Borg (566) – Andrei Agius (495) – Steve Pisani (258)6 matches – Henry Bonello (540) – Luke Gambin (538) – Matthew Guillaumier (522) – Teddy Teuma (434) – Jurgen Degabriele (386) – Jake Grech (210)5 matches – Kurt Shaw (373) – Kuke Montebello (319)4 matches – Kyrian Nwoko (235) – Shaun Dimech (145)3 matches – Zach Muscat (270) – Paul Mbong (167) – Rowen Muscat (125) – Alex Satariano (51)2 matches – Jake Galea (180) – Karl Micallef (152) – Triston Caruana (135) – Bjorn Kristensen (101)1 match – Enrico Pepe (90) – Neil Tabone (90) – Juan Corbalan (90) – Joseph Muscatt (87) – Michael Mifsud (60) – Samir Arab (45) – Myles Beerman (30) – Jean Borg (28) – Jan Busuttil (13) – Jean Paul Farrugia (12) – Cain Attard (3)Youngest player (competitive match)Paul Mbong – 19 years and 1 day03.09.2020 v Faroe Islands 2-3 (Torsvollur – Torshavn) – UEFA Nations League Oldest player (competitive match)Andrei Agius – 34 years, 3 months, 5 days17.11.2020 v Faroel Islands 1-1 – (National Stadium) – UEFA Nations League Youngest player (friendly)Alex Satariano – 19 years and 17 days11.11.2020 v Liechtenstein 3-0 – (National Stadium) - Friendly Oldest player (friendly)Michael Mifsud – 39 years, 6 months, 25 days11.11.2020 v Liechtenstein 3-0 – (National Stadium) – Friendly