Giglio's free-kick earns Malta 1-1 draw

Luxembourg 1
Malta 1

A Stefan Giglio free-kick enabled Malta to share the honours with fellow minnows Luxembourg as yesterday's friendly match at the Stade de la Frontiere ended one-all.

Giglio, who recently joined Sliema Wanderers after a two-year spell in Bulgaria, struck barely a minute after Jeff Strasser had shot Luxembourg ahead from a penalty, eight minutes into the second half.

Austrian referee Gerald Leihner opted for the maximum punishment when William Camenzuli, yesterday making his 11th appearance in a Malta shirt, tackled a Luxembourg player inside the penalty box.

In a balanced game, Luxembourg had their bright moments but they were denied by a string of fine saves by Malta goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Held's men lifted their performance in the second half to pose more problems to Luxembourg who, like Malta, have yet to open their account in their qualifying group for the EURO 2004 championship.

Muscat, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday, was handed back Malta's no.1 jersey after being left out of the starting formation for the Cyprus qualifier, which Malta lost 2-1.

Pietà goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin had started that match in June but was sent off early in the first half for a professional foul.

Yesterday's friendly did not pass without a hitch for Malta coach Sigfried Held tough, as Giglio, Noel Turner and Luke Dimech had to be substituted because of slight injuries. Their places were taken by Gilbert Agius, Daniel Theuma and Carlo Mamo respectively.

Daniel Bogdanovic, who has also opted to return to the Maltese Premier League to play for local champions Sliema after a short stint in Bulgaria, replaced Kaiserslautern striker Michael Mifsud seven minutes from the end of regular time.

Good performance

Speaking to The Times from the team's hotel, Muscat said Malta needed a positive result to bolster their spirits before next month's qualifier against Israel.

"We worked hard to gain a positive result to enhance our morale before facing Israel in three weeks' time," Muscat said.

"Eight years ago, we lost twice against Luxembourg, so the onus was on us to atone for those defeats.

"Luxembourg put us under some pressure but our performance was good. We were solid in defence and launched some good counter-thrusts throughout the game," Muscat remarked.

Luxembourg: A. Besic, R. Peters, B. Federspiel, E. Hoffmann, J. Strasser, S. Remy (P. Bosing 78), M. Schauls, A. Leweck (P. Mannon 90), G. Braun (D. Huss 75), M. Cardoni, M. Christophe.

Malta: M. Muscat, W. Camenzuli, J. Chetcuti, D. Carabott, B. Said, L. Dimech (C. Mamo 70), N. Turner (D. Theuma 87), S. Giglio (G. Agius 63), M. Mifsud (D. Bogdanovic 83), C. Nwoko, G. Mallia.

Referee: G. Leihner (Austria FA).

Scorers: Strasser 53 pen.; Giglio 54.

Attendance: 2,000.