Usually, a draw against a tough team like Northern Ireland is regarded as a positive result for Malta but home satisfaction at the national team’s vibrant performance in Wednesday’s goalless stalemate was tinged with a dose of disappointment.

Victory was there for the taking as Malta not only defended diligently to restrict their opponents to a couple of half-chances but also fashioned the better scoring opportunities, especially in the second half when captain Michael Mifsud had two dangerous efforts repelled by Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

A win, albeit in a friendly game, would have made it a night to remember for Malta but the draw did nothing to temper coach Pietro Ghedin’s delight at the team’s showing.

“I’m very happy with the team’s performance,” Ghedin told The Times.

“I’m optimistic because the players applied themselves with freedom and looked at ease throughout the game.

“There were no psychological inhibitions.

“We also managed to play good football and showed that we’re a squad, a team. The players were disciplined, everyone knew what they were doing and understood their role. It was clear that, even with our limitations, this team has grown.”

In the build-up, much was made of Northern Ireland’s reputation as a fiercely competitive, physical team but come Wednesday, they looked somewhat subdued, leaving coach Michael O’Neill frustrated and still seeking his first win since taking over from Nigel Worthington.

Ghedin was keen to point out that it was Malta’s dynamic effort that made Northern Ireland look ordinary.

“I always say that the strength of a team is relative to the weakness of the opposition,” Ghedin said.

“We were good throughout the game and that’s the main reason why Northern Ireland looked weak.”

All the Maltese players gave a good account of themselves.

The tried-and-trusted ones, the likes of Luke Dimech, Gareth Sciberras and Andrew Cohen, vindicated their billing but two fringe players, namely Paul Fenech, who deputised for the injured Roderick Briffa, and Ryan Camilleri, who came on for Andrei Agius at the start of the second half, also impressed. Agius was unable to continue after suffering a head injury in an aerial duel.

“They played very well,” Ghedin said of Fenech and Camilleri. “I was happy for both of them because this was effectively their first real test since I took charge of the team. Paul started from the first minute and Ryan came on in the second half. They were good.”

Ghedin was understandably delighted that his team avoided mistakes that have often proved costly in the past.

“Lately, we’ve been playing well,” Ghedin said, referring to Malta’s 1-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein and the qualifying defeats away to Italy (2-0) and the Czech Republic (3-1).

“Most of the goals we conceded in the qualifiers came from our errors and not because of our opponents’ ability. In this friendly, we managed to eradicate these mistakes and I hope that this can give us a bit of confidence.”

Ghedin felt that Malta deserved to win on Wednesday on the back of their sprightly showing.

“We had four clearcut chances,” Ghedin said.

“The team was compact and the players worked hard in every department. They defended well and counter-attacked with intelligence.

“If we won the game 2-0, I don’t think anyone would have been shocked about the result because we were better.”

Apart from Mifsud’s attempts in the second half, Edward Herrera also squandered a good chance early in the game when he shot straight at the Irish goalkeeper and Andrè Schembri narrowly missed the target with a rising shot.

With the 2014 World Cup Group B qualifiers against Bulgaria (away on March 22) and Italy (home on March 26) fast approaching, Wednesday’s display ought to stand Malta in good stead but it’s important that they remain with their feet grounded.

“The levels are different,” Ghedin said of next month’s qualifiers. “Bulgaria and Italy are of a higher standard (than Northern Ireland).

“We will approach these games in a confident mood, convinced that we can do well. Then the pitch will decide the outcome of the match.

“We will continue to train seriously to ensure that we’re well prepared.”