UEFA Nations League match against Moldova

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE
League D – Group 2
Stadionul Zimbru, Chisinau

MOLDOVA…2
MALTA…0
(HT 2-0)

1-0 Mihail Caicamov 32, 2-0 Ion Nicolaescu, pen, 45+3.

The Maltese national XI failed to kick off their fourth Nations League series with a positive performance and result, as Moldova proved to be too strong with two goals from setpieces. It was one-way traffic earlier tonight in Chisinau, quite unexpectedly as the visitors were expecting to give the Moldovans a good run for their money. The Maltese looked out of form and had simply no answer to the constant pressure of the Moldovans.

Coach Michele Marcolini left out playmaker Teddy Teuma out of his first XI, as the skilful midfielder still had some physical problems obtained in the French Ligue 1. Steve Pisani filled in the void of Teuma but the Reims midfielder replaced Pisani on 70 minutes.

With Steve Borg not in the squad, out injured, Matthew Guillaumier was wearing the captain’s armband. Most capped player was the unattached Zach Muscat, who played his 68^th official international game with Malta.

Moldova, who came astonishingly close to clinch a Play-Off spot for the Euro 2024, created two half chances through Artur Ionica and Mihail Caicamov in the first ten minutes but the goal attempts failed to find target. On 23 minutes, another Ionica grounder from 25-meters distance just missed target, as the Moldovans dictated play in the opening phase with fast attacks. But on 32 minutes, Caicamov curled a splendid 20-meters distance free-kick over the Maltese wall to put the hosts in the driving seat.

Malta tried hard to settle down but in stoppage time of the first half, Moldova were given a rather easy penalty when Bonello allegedly brought down Caicamov in the box, a dubious decision.  Ion Nicolaescu made no mistake to give the hosts a most comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Seven minutes after the re-start, Nicolaescu nearly punished a defensive mistake in the Malta defence, hitting the post from an ideal angle with Bonello beaten. The Moldovans kept the pressure on the Maltese rear-guard throughout the match, with the Maltese clearly having no reply.

It was only in the last ten minutes that the visitors created two opportunities. A free-kick delivery in the box by substitute Teuma created danger in the Moldovan box but Montebello concluded wide and on 84 minutes, Moldova custodian Dumitru Celeadnic made a routine safe on a long-distance attempt by Guillaumier.

The Maltese continent now play Andorra next Tuesday night, another away match. In October, Malta will host Moldova and in November Andorra. The kick-off at the Estadi Nacional on Tuesday will be 20h45.

Moldova
Dumitru Celeadnic, Sergiu Platica, Artur Craciun, Victor Mudrac, Denis Marandici, Oleg Reabciuk, Nichita Motpan (Victor Bogaciuc 70), Vadim Rata, Artur Ionica (Victor Stina 75), Mihail Ciamacov (Maxim Cojocaru 85), Ion Nicolaescu (Vitalie Damascan 70)
Coach: Serghei Clescenco

Malta
Henry Bonello, Jean Borg, Zach Muscat, Kurt Shaw, Ryan Camenzuli, Joseph Mbong, Steve Pisani (Teddy Teuma 70), Matthew Guillaumier (Nikolai Muscat 85), Yannick Yankam (Carlo Zammit-Lonardelli 46), Paul Mbong (Kyrian Nwoko 70), Kemar Reid (Luke Montebello 46)
Coach: Michele Marcolini

Referee
Mykola Balakin (Ukraine)

Yellow cards
Motpan, Damascan (Mol); Guillaumier, Bonello, Z.Muscat and coach Marcolini (Malta)

Images copyright Andre Farrugia