Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1024340
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 SEPTEMBER 2018 28 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE SPORTS FAROE Islands started the match as favourites for vari- ous reasons. Apart from the fact that they were playing on home soil, the small na- tion are ranked 90th, while Malta are ranked 184th. In addition, Faroe are unbeaten at home since June 2017. Furthermore, the home side also hold the advan- tage when it comes to direct clashes. Faroe Islands and Malta played against each other four times prior to this match. The hosts won three times, while Malta registered one victory in November of 2013. Malta made a good start to the match. The Maltese players managed to hold Faroe's players and also had their fair share of possession. In fact, the first real chance was created by Malta af- ter sixteen minutes. Rowen Muscat sent Michael Mifsud through down the right side. The veteran striker ran for- ward and hit a shot that was blocked by Gunnar Nielsen. Faroe replied a minute lat- er. Gunnar Vatnhamar deliv- ered a cross towards Simun Edmunsson whose effort was neutralised by Andrew Hogg. Malta's goalkeeper was on the alert again on the 20th minute. From a free-kick, Brandur Hendriksson drilled a low shot that was parried by the thirty-three year old goalkeeper. Despite Malta's efforts, a mistake by Joseph Zerafa gifted Faroe the opening goal on the 31st minute. The Valletta defender played the ball back in the direction of Edmunsson who placed it inside the bottom corner of the net. Rene Joensen doubled Far- oe's advantage on the 38th minute. Following an ex- cellent pass from Brandur Hendriksson, the twenty- five-year-old went past Steve Borg and finished inside the net. Malta pulled one back on the 42nd minute. Schembri sent an excellent pass to- wards Mifsud who controlled the ball well before finishing home from close range. Faroe scored their third goal on the 51st minute. Malta's defenders failed to clear the ball into safety. Gunnar Vatnhamar took hold of the ball and delivered it towards Hallur Hansson. The Faroe midfielder found Malta's defence completely disoriented and fired a shot from inside the penalty area that gave Hogg no chance. After this goal, the Faroes were happy to control pos- session without giving any space to the Maltese who never managed to threaten the opposing defence. In fact, the tempo of the match slowed down as chances be- came scarce. The only other opportu- nity was created by Faroe one minute into additional time. Bertalsstovu deliv- ered a cross from a free-kick that was met by Baldvinsson whose header was tipped be- hind by Hogg. Malta will now face Azer- baijan tomorrow. The match will be played at the National Stadium. Faroe Islands Gunnar Nielsen, Gunnar Vatnhamar Atli Gregersen Sonni Nattestad Viljomur Davidsen Soelvi Vatnhamar Rene Joensen Hallur Hansson Gili Rolantsson Brandur Hendriksson Joan Simun Edmundsson Malta Andrew Hogg Joseph Zerafa Steve Borg Andrei Agius Paul Fenech Michael Mifsud Andre Schembri Rowen Muscat Joseph Mbong Alfred Effion Zach Muscat WARREN ZAMMIT Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN) Assistant Referees: Jan-Peter Aravirta, Mika Lamppu Additional Assistant Referees: Petri Viljanen, Dennis Antamo Fourth Official: Jukka Honkanen Malta kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Faroe Islands Malta defeated in Ray Farrugia's first competitive match Malta's goalscorer Michael Mifsud PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL ZAMMIT CUTAJAR / MFA