Malta earned a prestigious point away from home against Slovakia, ranked 34 on the FIFA ranking and one of the countries this summer at the Euro 2020.
The visitors were two nil up at half-time thanks to a superb opener by Luke Gambin and a powerful header by Alex Satariano four minutes later. In the second half, the pressure of the Slovaks resulted in two quick goals, wiping out Malta’s advantage. The Maltese played another fearless match, confident on the ball, creating several goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.
Compared with the Russia qualifier last Wednesday, Malta coach Devis Mangia made four changes. In defence, Enrico Pepe was preferred over Andrei Agius, Gambin started instead of Kristensen and up front, Paul Mbong and Satariano, two 19-year-olds, replaced Montebello and Degabriele.
Malta experienced a great first half, playing clever football and were well organised. Slovakia had its first goal attempt in the ninth minute when, from a corner kick, Milan Škriniar headed towards Michal Ďuriš, who missed target from an ideal position.
Malta took a deserved lead on 16 minutes thanks to a terrific goal by Luke Gambin who, after a Joseph Mbong pass, curled the ball into the top corner from about 20 meters. Four minutes later, Malta doubled the score. After another precise built-up, Ryan Camenzuli’s inch-perfect cross from the left wing found the unmarked Alex Satariano, who brilliantly headed the ball past Kuciak.
Slovakia were taken by surprise, were clueless in possession and created very little danger in front of Bonello’s goal during the remaining time left in the first half. The only time they came close was on 27 minutes when Ďuriš beat the offsite trap but missed target. On the stroke of half-time, Škriniar blocked a Satariano shot from the edge of the box.
After the break, Slovakia went all out for a quick goal.
In the 49th minute they reduced the deficit thanks to substitute Dávid Strelec, who beat Bonello from close-range. Four minutes later, the hosts equalised thanks to captain Škriniar, who headed the ball behind Bonello after a corner action.
On 55 minutes, Malta were inches close to regain the lead thanks to a Satariano header from a Matthew Guillaumier free-kick. On the hour, Róbert Boženík’s close-range attempt was cleared from the line by Teddy Teuma. Malta continued to create danger on counter-attacks and on 76 minutes, Slovakian goalkeeper Kuciak blocked an attempt by substitute Jake Grech, after another fluent attack by the visitors. Not much later, Teuma managed to win the ball on midfield, progressing towards the box and passing to substitute Kyrian Nwoko, who’s attempt was again blocked by Kuciak.
Closer to the final whistle, Slovakia pressed hard for a winner but the Maltese rear-guard stood firm, giving away very little space. In the end, the draw was a fair result. A very positive result and display by a vibrant Malta side.
Earlier today, in the same Qualification group, Russia recorded their second win, beating Slovenia 2-1, while Croatia beat Cyprus 1-0.
Slovakia
Dušan Kuciak, Martin Koscelník, Martin Valjent, Milan Škriniar, Dávid Hancko (,Jakub Holúbek 39), Ján Greguš, Patrick Hrošovský (Ivan Schranz 82), Juraj Kucka (Dávid Strelec 46), Tomáš Suslov (Albert Rusnák 72) Róbert Mak, Michal Ďuriš (Róbert Boženík 46).
Malta
Henry Bonello, Kurt Shaw, Steve Borg, Enrico Pepe, Ryan Camenzuli, Joseph Mbong, Matthew Guillaumier, Teddy Teuma (Bjorn Kristensen 91), Luke Gambin (Jake Grech 68), Paul Mbong (Kyrian Nwoko 68), Alex Satariano (Steve Pisani 79).
Yellow cards
Ďuriš, Koscelník (S), Camenzuli, Bonello (M)
Referee
Harald Lechner (Austria)
Photo: Mark Zammit Cardona
Source: MFA
