Sprightly Malta delight fans with high-scoring victory

Malta 5
Estonia 2

The few fans still loyal to the national team finally had something to smile about yesterday as Malta swept aside Estonia 5-2.

After the boredom contracted in the goalless draw against Moldova, Malta's prospects of upsetting an Estonia team who had emerged tops from their opening encounter with Belarus, did not appear so bright.

But over the years, our players have developed a knack to rise to the occasion when the chips are down... yesterday's was a case in point.

A fluid and committed display saw Horst Heese's team easily overcoming their opponents to move top of the four-team tournament with four points from two matches.

Heese's selection policy may have triggered mixed reactions but there were no complaints about his decisions yesterday.

While the likes of Jeffrey Chetcuti, Etienne Barbara, Michael Mifsud and Brian Said supplied a timely reminder that the country's tried-and-trusted players still have a massive role to play for the national team, other younger members like Steve Wellman and Ian Azzopardi also showed that they can also do a good job if given time and space.

Saviour Darmanin's reflexes faced an early test when Estonia carved out a dangerous opening after nine minutes. Kristen Viikmae then sped down the inside-left channel and crossed towards the centre. Vjatseslav Zahovaiko looked a safe bet to score only to see his header turned around the post by Darmanin, who was preferred to Mario Muscat.

Malta's starting formation featured four changes from the one that took to the field against Moldova on Saturday. Apart from the goalkeeping swap, Wellman, Barbara and Mifsud had their names on the list of starting players.

Three minutes after Darmanin's fine intervention, a defensive howler by Estonia handed Malta the lead. Raio Piiroja and goalkeeper Martin Kaalma got in each other's way as they went for a seemingly straightforward clearance, the ball bounced into the path of the alert Barbara, yesterday sharing the team's attacking duties with Mifsud, who sidefooted the ball home.

Malta's joy did not last long though as Estonia were level soon after. Darmanin stood helpless as a perfectly-flighted free-kick by Zahovaiko sailed straight into the top-left corner.

Just before the half-hour mark, Malta restored their one-goal lead.

Noel Turner's corner from the right was met by defender Brian Said who powered the ball home for his second international goal.

The tactical tinkering favoured by Heese and Busuttil for this match left a positive mark on the team whose first-half performance was a 100 times better than that of Saturday.

Stefan Giglio and Ivan Woods were combining well in midfield, setting up the platform for Turner to imbue some much-needed flair into Malta's play. Mifsud and Barbara may possess different qualities as strikers but their penchant not just to run at defenders but to shackle them when in possession increased our chances.

There was no mistaking the positive effect Said's goal had on the team as it was the hosts who were now controlling the tempo of the match. Barbara had a shot deflected to corner and Giglio, teed up by Woods, fired over the bar from a good position.

Malta's fine play encouraged the home fans to up their support but the feel-good factor at Ta' Qali was blemished by a soft Estonia goal in first-half stoppage time.

The erstwhile solid Malta defence, marshalled by skipper Chetcuti, failed to deal with a prolonged Estonia move, Aleksander Saharov squared the ball to Piiroja just outside the area and the lanky defender rifled the ball past Darmanin's dive.

Barbara may have re-ignited the enthusiasm within four minutes from the restart. His grounder from the edge of the box was deviated for a corner and from the ensuing flagkick, taken by Turner, the Marsaxlokk forward was inches wide with another low drive.

The vintage Turner saw to that 14 minutes into the second half. Receiving a fine pass from the effective Ivan Woods, he sprinted forward unimpeded and let fly a powerful drive that beat Kaalma hands down.

Malta's moment of grace continued as Barbara put the team two goals up barely a minute after Turner's gem.

He retrieved possession just outside the area but with typical nonchalance elected to power his way into the box, sweeping past two opponents before flicking the ball into the far corner of the net.

Barbara was given a warm applause when he was replaced by Alex Muscat, another debutant, 18 minutes from time.

An injury curtailed Turner's evening, the Sliema skipper also receiving the fans' appreciation as he limped towards the bench. His place was taken by Roderick Bajada who was also making his first international appearance.

Trailing Malta by two goals, Estonia sought to intensify their attacking forays but rarely threatened our defence. Three minutes from time, Zahra rounded off Malta's positive outing when guiding the ball home after Mifsud's cross-shot was fumbled by Kaalma.

'We need your support' read the message on Mifsud's undervest as the jubilant players trudged towards the dressing rooms. More performances like this will definitely help to enhance the support for the Maltese team.Malta: S. Darmanin, I. Azzopardi, J. Chetcuti, B. Said, S. Wellman, S. Giglio, N. Turner (R. Bajada 77), C. Mattocks (A. Zahra 60), M. Mifsud, E. Barbara (A. Muscat 72), I. Woods.

Estonia: M. Kaalma, T. Allas, S. Hohlov-Simson, R. Piiroja, E. Saviauk (R. Klavan 60), O. Reinumae, K. Haavistu (M. Smirnov 75), M. Reim, K. Viikmae, V. Zahovaiko, A. Saharov (J. Lindpere 67).

Referee: G. Orlic (Moldova).

Scorers: Barbara 12, 60; Zahovaiko 16; Said 28; Piiroja 45; Turner 59; Zahra 87.

Aftermatch comments

National coach Horst Heese declared himself satisfied with yesterday's 5-2 win and more importantly with the performance of the team which included some new and relatively inexperienced players.

Heese hailed the fine teamwork and cohesion of his players and singled out his younger players for praise.

"Some people may have had doubts whether our new players could really perform for the national team," he said. "But today, they rose to the occasion.

"All the players believed in their abilities and I'm very satisfied that this victory came after a fine collective effort. Now, we expect to see more of this in the future."

"Malta took their chances well in the second half," Estonia coach Arno Pijpers said. "The first half was balanced but Malta certainly made the most of the chances that came their way after the break."