Plucky Malta unsettle Denmark

Luck did not smile on Malta when the national team met Denmark at the Gżira Stadium in the Nations Cup on December 9, 1962.

Malta played exceptionally well but still went down undeservedly by a two-goal margin.

The result would have been a draw or even a victory for Malta but for the number of chances missed by our forwards.

Josie Urpani, playing in the unusual position of centre-forward, was the best Maltese player on show and it was fitting that he scored our goal.

However, Urpani was, by nature, a ball-playing inside-forward and in the circumstances, the team needed more a bustling type of leader like Tony Cauchi or Victor Cassar.

The Maltese defence played well with Joe Cilia inspiring his team-mates with a typical solid performace at centre-half.

Both half-backs were kept very busy with Cini always ready to go up in attack when the occasion beckoned.

They supplied the front line with good passes but in going forward, they left a gap behind which the clever Danish forwards were quick to exploit.

It was this chink in the armour that cost us the match.

Denmark kicked off but Malta were first to attack. Urpani headed down a free-kick to the feet of Eddie Theobald but the latter kicked high. A minute later Frankie Zammit crossed for Urpani who saw his header saved with difficulty by Gaadhoje.

The Danes nearly scored in their first attack. Berthelsen beat Freddie Mizzi but Leli Attard cleared the ball on the goal-line.

Nine minutes later, Denmark opened the scoring when their prolific striker, Ole Madsen, shook off his marker, side-stepped one opponent and sent in a hard drive to the far corner of the net.

The Maltese did not lose heart and goalkeeper Gaardhoje had to dive full length to tip a Lolly Borg volley over the bar. Still, Malta insisted and when Urpani headed the ball into the centre of the penalty box, Gaardhoje had to fling himself at the feet of the onrushing Zammit to prevent a certain goal.

On the half-hour, a surprise shot from midfield by Glausten shook the woodwork but Cilia headed clear before Berthelsen could connect with the rebound.

At the other end, a Borg-Urpani move ended with Sammy Nicholl just missing the target.

Then, in the 38th minute, Malta deservedly drew level. A quick throw-in to Theobald who lobbed to Urpani, the latter hitting a low strike past the Danish keeper.

However, the joy of the Maltese was short-lived because a few minutes later Berthelsen released Christiansen who evaded Attard’s tackle before beating Mizzi with a powerful drive.

In the second half, the tempo abated but Denmark were more active. Christiansen twice had his shot blocked before Berthelsen beat Mizzi.

At this point Cila and Attard changed positions and the Maltese defence looked more steady.

Theobald saw his well-aimed shot miss the target by inches as play was confined to midfield.

However, 15 minutes from time Borg received a through-pass from Nicholl and slipped the ball past the outcoming Gaardhoje but the ball hit the keeper’s leg.

Two minutes later, Borg came close again when he slipped past Madsen only to hit over the bar.

At the other end, a rasping drive by Petersen from outside the area sailed over but the last chance fell to Malta. A clever move ended with Cini firing a shot towards the corner of the net but Gaardhoje produced a great save.