Luxembourg 0
Malta 2
Mifsud 10, 80;
Pietro Ghedin enjoyed a dream debut in his second spell as Malta coach as Michael Mifsud’s brace capped a confident display by the national team who gained a hugely-deserved 2-0 win over Luxembourg in a friendly match yesterday.
Early days these may be but this showing by Malta at the Josey Barthel Stadium reflects positively on Ghedin’s initial impact on the team as his players not only applied themselves with commitment but rarely betrayed the psychological inhibitions that often plague their performances, pushing forward with intent without losing their tactical shape.
Not for the first time, the spotlight fell on Mifsud whose double took his record tally for Malta to 34 goals but virtually all the players in Ghedin’s team had a good outing to start their preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on a flying note.
Their efforts not only ensured a winning debut for Ghedin but also earned Malta, ranked 150th in the world, their first ever win over the 119th-ranked Luxembourg.
It was alsoMalta’s second successive victory following the 2-1 success over Liechtenstein in another friendly last February.
Ghedin called upon most of his creative elements. Daniel Bogdanovic and Andrew Cohen took up the wide midfield roles, Andre Schembri operated behind captain Mifsud, Malta’s lone forward, and Roderick Briffa, often deployed at right-back when donning the national team’s shirt, partnered Gareth Sciberras in central midfield.
The two centre-half positions were occupied by Andrei Agius and Jonathan Caruana with Clayton Failla and Alex Muscat patrolling the flanks and Andrew Hogg in goal.
Cheered on by a good number of Maltese fans who are based in Luxembourg, the red-shirted players started the game in brisk fashion.
After four minutes, Cohen’s low pass from a central free-kick reached Bogdanovic inside the box and the Notts County winger back-heeled the ball to Schembri but the latter was in an offside position.
Luxembourg created their first notable chance after eight minutes when Stefano Bensi attempted a shot which was off target.
With Bogdanovic and Cohen pushing menacingly on the wings and Mifsud full of running up front, Malta remained the better side. They went close to taking the lead on eight minutes when Cohen exchanged passes with Mifsud but the Hibs playmaker drove wide from inside the box.
Two minutes later, Malta deservedly forged ahead. It was a cohesive move as Briffa played the ball out to Bogdanovic on the right and the Malta winger guided an excellent through-ball to Mifsud who had made an intelligent run into the box.
With one touch, Mifsud pulled clear of his markers and with the second rifled the ball into the net at the near post.
Mifsud’s opener had an uplifting effect on Malta. On 13 minutes, Sciberras picked out Mifsud who darted into the box before pulling the ball back for Schembri who miscued his attempt.
The sprightly Bogdanovic then embarked on a strong run through the middle but his piledriver from the distance ended over.
So superior were Malta in the first half that Hogg was hardly tested. On 25 minutes, Muscat flicked a pass to Mifsud who drifted into the box from the right but his low cross-shot was cut out by Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert.
On the half-hour, Sciberras needed medical treatment on a hand injury sustained after the midfielder landed awkwardly after outjumping Mario Mutsch.
On the stroke of half-time, Malta received another boost when Mutsch, the Luxembourg captain, was red-carded after earning his second caution for pulling back Cohen.
Paul Fenech came on for Sciberras at the start of the second half. Two substitutions helped the depleted hosts to raise their game after the break as Malta initially struggled to regain their first-half fluency and tactical discipline.
Luxembourg increased their pressure but their efforts were not enough to open up the Maltese defence.
Eight minutes into the second half, Malta went close to a second goal as Briffa released Mifsud whose shot from inside the box was partially blocked. Cohen capitalised but his effort from close range went wide.
Luxembourg threatened when Dan Collette crossed for Aurelien Joachim but his half-volley came off the side-netting.
On the hour, Hogg blocked Daniel Da Mota’s cross-shot before Mifsud blasted over after getting on the end of a long ball from defence.
As the second half progressed, Malta regained the upperhand. With 16 minutes remaining, Bogdanovic flicked the ball to Mifsud from a free-kick and the Valletta striker’s powerful drive was beaten away by Joubert.
Ten minutes from time, Malta put the result beyond Luxembourg. Schembri created the opening as the Panionios forward lifted the ball over a defender to surge clear on the right before releasing Bogdanovic. The latter hit an excellent cross into the six-yard box and onto the swooping Mifsud who prodded home.
Late in the game, Luxembourg produced a couple of half-chances. Substitute Gilles Bettmer swung in a dangerous cross from a free-kick but Steve Borg, who had come on for the injured Muscat, headed the ball away for a corner.
Bettmer then saw his grounder saved by Hogg.
Four minutes from time, Malta had a great opportunity to extend their lead when Bogdanovic set up Briffa who drove wide from the edge of the box.
At the end of the match, Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA CEO, told TVM: “It was a good game for our national team. It was also the first match for new coach Pietro Ghedin and it was clear that the players gave their 100 per cent.”
Luxembourg
J. Joubert, C. Philipps, G. Blaise (34 E. Hoffmann), T. Schenell, C. Leweck, B. Payal, D. Collette (81 M. Yanisch), A. Joachim, M. Mutsch, L. Gerson (46 D. Da Mota), S. Bensi (46 G. Bettmer).
Malta
A. Hogg, J. Caruana, G. Sciberras (46 P. Fenech), A. Agius (73 J. Zerafa), A. Muscat (56 S. Borg), D. Bogdanovic, R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, A. Cohen, C. Failla, A. Schembri (81 E. Agius).
Referee: M. Hameter (Austria).
Red card: Mutsch (L) 44.