Lively Malta earn merited draw

Malta 1
Northern Ireland 1

An air of renewed optimism was breathed last night after the national team produced a lively display that earned the players a deserved draw against Northern Ireland in a friendly at Ta' Qali.

Malta coach Horst Heese had expected his team to produce some good attacking football as he looked to end a 12-match winless run. The German coach must have been delighted with the response of his players as they kept the Irish pegged in their own half for most of the match.

Malta created various scoring opportunities but failed to make the most of them. A minute from time they also had a match-winning penalty in favour but substitute George Mallia saw his shot saved.

However, despite the upset of not winning this match there were several positives for the Malta coach to take ahead of next month's qualifiers against Hungary and Croatia.

The team looked solid with the defensive backline closing all avenues to Justin Haber's goal. In midfield, Orosco Anonam had a creditable debut as he worked very hard to create openings for Andrew Cohen while Ivan Woods capped a fine match with an equaliser. It was a pity that he marred his performance with a late red card.

Playing against a side ranked 22 places above Malta somewhat raised expectations that our team could yield a satisfactory outcome.

Heese confirmed the starting XI he announced on Tuesday as he fielded a 4-5-1 formation with Anonam given the nod to make his first appearance with the Malta shirt.

Lawrie Sanchez, the Northern Ireland coach, only had three defenders in his 16-man squad. He opted for a 3-5-2 formation with David Healy, scorer of the winning goal in the previous clash between Malta and Northern Ireland, up front with James Quinn.

Prior to kick-off both teams observed a one minute silence in respect of former Malta goalkeeper David Cluett who passed away last month.

Malta started brightly and after five minutes Gilbert Agius served Cohen in the area but the Hibs forward's low drive was blocked by Maik Taylor, the visitors' goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Agius was again the provider when his inswinging free-kick was met by Roderick Briffa but the wingback's flick finished inches wide.

Briffa was again dangerous soon after when he found space in the area to meet a Mattocks cross but his shot was again saved by steady Taylor.

Despite this auspicious start, Malta were punished for some sloppy marking on nine minutes.

Damien Johnson entered the box before sending a cross towards the unmarked Healy who had the easiest of jobs to head home.

The goal hit the Maltese players' morale hard. Pullicino fired just wide and on 29 minutes Healy's free-kick was stopped by Haber.

Heese's team took some time to settle after Healy's goal but on 35 minutes it was all-square again.

Woods breezed past two defenders before firing an unstoppable drive that finished in the top right corner of the net... a crack of a goal.

Malta kept their positive momentum going after the break and a quick move between Agius and Woods, unlocked Anonam who had his shot intercepted by Aaron Hughes.

Malta's quick passing moves was creating a lot of problems to the Irish defenders who often resorted to robust tackles to stop the hosts' initiative.

Seven minutes into the second half, Cohen and Anonam combined well to put Brian Said in a good position but the Sliema defender skied the ball much to the disappointment of his team-mates.

Woods went agonisingly close to a second goal when Mattocks chested down Pullicino's cross towards the Sliema player who fired a fierce drive that was tipped over by the alert Taylor. From the flag-kick, Agius' cross-shot was headed goalwards by Cohen but Taylor was well positioned to block.

On the hour, Kenneth Scicluna made his debut for the national team when he came in for Luke Dimech.

Eleven minutes from time Gillespie fouled Cohen and the Maltese looked unhappy with the challenge.

Gillespie had a nervous reaction and clashed with Woods. The referee had no option but to dismiss both.

Antoine Zahra should have won it for Malta a minute from time but shot over from an Ian Ciantar delivery.

A minute later Malta had another glorious opportunity to win the match when Zahra was felled by Chris Brunt in the area. Mallia took the penalty but his low shot from the spot was saved by Taylor.

 Horst Heese said he was delighted with the team.

"It was the best performance since I've been here," he said. "We created chances and could have won this match. However, this is definitely no upset for us but a big boost ahead of our matches next month."

Heese was also happy with the showings of newcomers Orosco Anonam and Kenneth Scicluna.

"They had a good match, both of them. I was particularly happy for Kenneth because he was confident and sure. He gives us more options at the back."

Malta: J. Haber, P. Pullicino ('60 I. Ciantar), S. Wellman, R. Briffa, B. Said, L. Dimech ('60 K. Scicluna), G. Agius ('73 G. Mallia), C. Mattocks ('78 A. Zahra), A. Cohen ('83 K. Sammut), I. Woods, O. Anonam.

N. Ireland: M. Taylor, S. Craigan, A. Hughes, J. Whitley ('58 S. Jones), C. Murdock, S. Davis ('87 P. Mulryne), K. Gillespie, D. Johnson, D. Healy, J. Quinn ('68 W. Feeney), S. Elliott ('58 C. Brunt).

Referee: Mike Riley (English FA).

Scorers: Healy 9; Woods 35.

Red cards: Woods 79; Gillespie 79.