Scerri brace cheers Fitzel ahead of stiffer test

MFA XI 3
Scerri 3, 36; Sammut 15
Ferencvaros 1
Shaw 30

With the resumption of Malta's erstwhile disappointing 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign only a week away, a friendly against visiting Ferencvaros was widely seen as a useful run-out for Dusan Fitzel's team.

Keen to impress in the lead-up to Wednesday's home clash with Albania, the majority of the players making up the MFA XI squad gave a good account of themselves in what was a relatively easy-going match against a generally low-key Hungarian side.

Once regarded as one of the most attractive teams in Europe, Ferencvaros have fallen on hard times lately and their tame display encapsulated the alarming decline which the Hungarians hope to stem in the next few years with the support and investment of new owners Sheffield United who were represented by a strong delegation at the National Stadium last night.

Albania will surely be a much tougher proposition for Fitzel's troops next week but at least the victory as well as the showings the likes of young defender Andrei Agius, Roderick Briffa, Andrew Cohen and Terrence Scerri provided a timely boost for the national team after a string of defeats.

Andrew Hogg was the first name on Fitzel's teamsheet as the Valletta keeper was given the chance to stake his claim for a starting role against Albania.

In central defence, Fitzel opted for a mix of experience and youth as veteran Luke Dimech flanked Agius. The MFA XI's tactical configuration was 4-1-4-1 with captain Gilbert Agius deployed as holding midfielder and Terrence Scerri a lone striker.

Briffa's piledriver sailed over the bar in the opening stages but the MFA XI seized the lead after just three minutes.

A good passing move between Briffa and Andrew Cohen created an opening for Scerri who powered his way into the box. Having temporarily surrendered possession, he was quick to retrieved the loose ball before sending a low shot past Adam Holczer.

Ferencvaros came close to an equaliser when Tibor Markus unsettled the Maltese defence with a strong run. He took the ball past the onrushing Hogg but the backtracking Agius slid in to deflect Markus's effort away for a corner.

On 15 minutes, MFA XI doubled their lead. Clayton Failla, yesterday assigned a wide position on the left of midfield, floated an accurate pass into the path of the advancing Scerri whose drive was parried by Holczer but Sammut, unmarked at the far post, blasted the rebound home.

Fitzel's men exuded confidence in those initial exchanges, their clever movement, on and off the ball, causing all sorts of problems to the slow-moving Ferencvaros.

At the back, Agius distinguished himself with a couple of well-timed interceptions as well as with his ball-to-the-feet forays out of defence.

All seemed to be going smoothly for Fitzel's men but on the half hour mark, Ferencvaros narrowed the deficit when captain Paul Shaw beat Hogg with a diagonal effort.

This goal ought to have brought MFA XI back to earth as their strong start might have given them a false sense of security. They quickly regained composure and within six minutes of Shaw's goal, Scerri had restored the home selection's two-goal lead with a well-placed shot on the turn.

Fitzel and Robert Davison, the Ferencvaros coach, changed virtually the entire team at half-time.

Of the 11 MFA XI starting players, only Andrei Agius appeared for the second half as Aaron Xuereb was unavailable, nursing a last-minute injury.

Up front, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza replaced Scerri, Ryan Fenech stepped into Gilbert Agius's boots in central midfield and Brian Said came on for Dimech in defence.

Mifsud Triganza fashioned a shot that was saved by Balazs Megyeri and at the other end, Justin Haber stopped an effort by Jordan Robertson.

The Maltese selection retained the upperhand but their passing and movement was not as fluid as that of the opening 45 minutes.

Collecting a pass from Cleaven Frendo, Mifsud Triganza twisted and turned in the box but his final strike was too central to worry the Ferencvaros keeper.

Frendo then let fly a dipping shot but Megyeri did well to fist the ball away.

The Maltese continued to show the better ideas going forward and Ivan Woods was unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet as his volley cannoned off the bar.

Kenneth Scicluna's cross-shot also came off the far post in the dying stages as the home side finished the game in attack.

MFA XI
A. Hogg, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, A. Agius, L. Dimech, G. Agius, R. Briffa, A. Cohen, T. Scerri, C. Failla, K. Sammut. Subs used: J. Haber, B. Said, I. Woods, S. Bajada, J. Pace, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, G. Mallia, R. Fenech, C. Frendo, K. Scicluna.

Ferencvaros
A. Holczer, Z. Balog, T. Baranyai, I. Szkukalek, N. Fulop, I. Deme, J. Morrison, J. Ashmore, L. Fito, P. Shaw, T. Markus. Subs used: B. Megyeri, S. Wedgbury, D. Kulscar, Z. Cziszar, B. Moussa, M. Lamine, M. Lowtown, P. Poloskei, J. Robertson, B. Toth, D. Kamate.

Referee: Anton Zammit.