Andrè Schembri opened his account for Boavista yesterday after netting his team’s first goal in their 2-2 home draw against Chaves.
Schembri, who completed his move to the Portuguese club this summer after calling time on his second spell with Cypriot club AC Omonia Nicosia, gave Boavista a 36th-minute lead with a close-range header.
Boavista looked on course to record their second win in the Primeira Liga as they led 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining but Chaves rescued a point with a late equaliser.
The goal extended Schembri’s bright start at Boavista as the 30-year-old has featured in each of the three league games played by his team this season. Boavista have five points.
Schembri’s rich vein of form is also good news for Malta ahead of Wednesday’s friendly match against Estonia and the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier at home to Scotland on Sunday.
The experienced striker has played 73 times for Malta.
Elsewhere, Luke Gambin, who is also in Ghedin’s squad for the Estonia and Scotland assignments, came on as a second-half substitute in Barnet’s 1-0 home defeat to Carlisle on Saturday. That was probably Gambin’s last appearance for Barnet as they have accepted Leyton Orient’s offer for the winger.
“Barnet FC can announce that Luke Gambin has been placed on the transfer list, and that the club have accepted a bid in excess of £100,000 from Leyton Orient for the player,” the League Two club said on their website.
“Luke has been the subject of interest from a number of League One and League Two sides over the past few weeks.”
Defender Zach Muscat was an unused substitute in Arezzo’s opening Lega Pro Group A game at home to Como yesterday. Arezzo threw away a two-goal lead as the game ended 2-2.
It is understood that coach Stefano Sottili’s decision to leave Muscat out of the starting XI yesterday was largely influenced by the fact that he will not be available for their next game, away to Carrarese, as the former Akragas defender will be on international duty with Malta.
Malta coach Ghedin has made no changes to the squad he announced last week for the Estonia warm-up on Wednesday (kick-off 17.30).
The three foreign-based players in Ghedin’s selection will link up with their international team-mates in Estonia later today.
Ghedin’s 20-Man Squad
Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Hibernians); Henry Bonello (Valletta).
Defenders: Andrei Agius (Hibernians); Jonathan Caruana (Valletta); Zach Muscat (Arezzo); Steve Borg (Valletta); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Gżira United); Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara); Clayton Failla (Hibernians).
Midfielders: Paul Fenech (Balzan); Roderick Briffa (Valletta); Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara); Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians); Luke Gambin (Barnet); Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).
Forwards: Andrè Schembri (Boavista); Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Michael Mifsud (Valletta); Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers).