Goalless draw in Seville
Horst Heese's Malta yesterday figured in a goalless draw against an Andalucian selection in a friendly match which saw the national team returning to the same city where 21 years before they had conceded a humiliating 12-1 defeat to Spain in an...
Horst Heese's Malta yesterday figured in a goalless draw against an Andalucian selection in a friendly match which saw the national team returning to the same city where 21 years before they had conceded a humiliating 12-1 defeat to Spain in an infamous European Championship qualifier.
The match attracted a crowd of over 11,000 at Seville's Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan. It was one of a series of friendly matches organised in Spain at this time of the year.
On Tuesday, Hristo Stoichkov's Bulgaria beat Valencia's Auto-nomous Team 2-1 at the Mestalla Stadium and last night Jose Pekerman's Argentina were involved in a similar 'Christmas' friendly against a Catalan selection in Barcelona.
Peter Pullicino was replaced in the last minute in Malta's starting formation by Floriana's Ian Azzopardi.
Pullicino, of Hibs, felt sick after the morning training session and was ruled out after a medical check.
With quality players like Mar-chena and Tristan in the team, the hosts held the initiative for most of the match as keeper Justin Haber was called to make a couple of timely interventions to keep his net intact until the end of the first half.
Midway through the second half Andalusia had another great opportunity to open the score but the ball hit the upright. A Cohen lob, at the other end of the pitch, was a whisker away from goal.
In the end, the Spaniards were unable to break the deadlock as the crowd were left disappointed not to have witnessed another goal feast against the Maltese who showed that some significant progress had indeed been registered since 1983.
Andalucia (starting XI): J.M. Pinto (Celta), P.R. Barrero (Seville), R.Z. Iznata (Malaga), C.L. Marchena (Valencia), J.M. Juanma (R. Santander), E.M. Corrales (Osasuna), F. Varela (R. Betis), A. Arzu (R. Betis), F. Gallardo (Getafe), C. Carlitos (Seville), D. Tristan (Deportivo).
Malta: J. Haber, I. Azzopardi, S. Wellman, B. Said, J. Chetcuti, A. Muscat, G. Agius (C. Frendo), I. Woods (M. Grima), J. Pace (K. Spiteri), G. Mallia, A. Cohen (T. Cilia).