Gutsy Malta battle to comeback win

Malta 2
Sweden 1

The Malta U-21 clan was basking in glory yesterday evening following a come-back-from-behind victory over a highly-rated Swedish side in a friendly at the Hibs Ground.

Mark Miller's boys forged their success on two key elements primarily - cool play and resilience. They defended calmly for most of the opening 45 minutes and despite falling behind on 22 minutes they never wilted under the pressure.

The Maltese kept battling hard and their determined play was amply rewarded with two well-taken goals from Valletta duo Dyson Falzon and Ian Zammit. That turned the game on its head and handed Malta U-21 their first win in seven matches.

Miller will have good reason to be happy following this gutsy performance from his players against such rated opponents who almost made it to the U-21 Championship finals this year. Focus now shifts on the side's first European Championship qualifier in June, away at Wales.

As expected Miller effected only one change from the team that started another friendly last week in Moldova. Edward Herrera replaced Ryan Fenech who was on the bench. Herrera filled the right-back position with Paul Fenech patrolling the right side of midfield.

Sweden made all the running early on with the Maltese looking to close all gaps in defence. After two minutes, Kristoffer Nafver burst through but his shot was stopped by the alert Malta keeper Miguel Montfort.

There was little constructive fare from either side in these early stages as the visitors, for all their dominant possession, were finding little space to manoeuvre. The Maltese were resorting to long passes towards Zammit and Matthew Bartolo that hardly troubled the strong Swedish defenders.

But, Malta's resistance was finally broken on 22 minutes when from an Andres Vasquez corner, the ball fell into Nafver's path who unleashed a powerful volley that flew into the top corner of the net.

Six minutes later, the Swedes came close to doubling their advantage when Vasquez hit low but Montfort was equal to the task.

It was becoming evident that Miller needed to change the team's approach as the long-ball strategy was not bearing any fruit. Now, there was more passing football on Malta's side and ten minutes from the break Zammit had a good opportunity to equalise. However, he miscued the ball from a good position and the chance went abegging.

Miller's lads kept the good work going and stunned the Swedes a minute from the break when they hit an equaliser, and what a goal it was.

The hard-working Zammit set up Falzon with a clever back-heel and the Valletta winger fired an unstoppable drive from outside the area that gave Swedish goalkeeper Robin Malmqvist no chance.

The goal seemed to have injected a much-needed dose of confidence in the Maltese who looked the livelier lot after the break.

On 50 minutes the comeback was completed. Falzon turned provider this time as his cross at the near post found Zammit on the right spot to head the ball into the far corner to the delight of the home crowd.

The Swedes looked in trouble. Their reaction to Zammit's goal only produced speculative shots from the distance that fell way off target.

On 62 minutes, Malta threatened again when substitute Steve Meilak, who had just replaced Edmund Agius, released Falzon who dummied his marker before hitting a rasping grounder that rolled just wide.

The Maltese were leaving no spaces for the Swedes who had their first real shot at goal in the second half 20 minutes from time. However, Imad Khalili's inswinger, from a free-kick, was stopped by Montfort.

Malmqvist came to Sweden's rescue with a fine save on a Fenech free-kick as in the final 10 minutes the Swedes tried hard to avoid an embarrassing defeat.

But Malta U-21 did not give away an inch, holding on till the final whistle to savour their moment of glory.

Coach's comments...

For Mark Miller, the turning point of the match was Dyson Falzon's equaliser just before half-time.

"Sweden were miles ahead after scoring their goal midway through the first half," he said.

"Honestly, at first we thought this was going to be a heavy defeat for us.

"However, Falzon's goal gave the team the confidence needed. We drew at the best moment of the match. It wasn't Sweden who lifted their foot of the pedal in the second half but my players who were simply outstanding.

"This was a great result even if this was only a friendly. Now, we can prepare for our Championship matches in a better frame of mind.

"This victory was a timely boost for the U-21 team."

Malta: M. Montfort, E. Herrera, S. Bezzina, A. Agius, T. Farrugia, P. Fenech, M. Bartolo, J. Caruana, I. Zammit ('83 A. Scerri), E. Agius ('59 S. Meilak), D. Falzon ('90 R. Fenech).

Sweden: R. Malmqvist ('46 J. Dahlin), T. Siwe ('79 I. Dahlin), G. Svensson, M. Falk-Olander, J. Westerberg, M. Pode ('46 T. Joza), R. Ahman-Persson, A. Vasquez ('67 A. Mellqvist), K. Nafver ('46 I. Khallili), A. Kujovic ('46 O. Toivonen), J. Sjohage ('46 R. Lawan).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Scorers: Nafver 22; Falzon 44; Zammit 50.