Malta produced a fine performance for their last home match from the qualifiers for the South Africa World Cup 2010 but ended up empty handed in a match that was decided with an own goal scored nine minutes from time.  There were no high expectations for this match for various reasons.  First of all Sweden is undoubtedly one of the top European teams, who needed the three points at all coast to maintain their hopes for qualification alive; and secondly Malta’s record in previous matches against Scandinavian countries is not encouraging.  However, the Maltese players were in fine form against Sweden.  National coach John Buttigieg motivated the group of players and their deployment on the pitch was so organized that the opponents were often in difficulty to produce danger towards the Maltese goals.

As expected Sweden saw more of the ball but they found it extremely difficult to penetrate and organize fluent play.  The attempts at goal were sporadic, and resulting mainly from individual initiatives.  Malta’s defense was well marshaled by veteran Brian Said.  The rearguard was quite often in the right place to block the pressure even when the Swedes tried to insist with crosses addressed to Ibrahimovic and Elmander.  Gilbert Agius was instrumental in the midfield, supported by an excellent Jamie Pace together with Alex Muscat and Gozitan Shaun Bajada on the flanks.  Contrary to what happens in international matches, Malta managed to produce a number of good adventurous actions in Sweden’s territory and every time that Michael Mifsud and Andrew Cohen received the ball, Sweden’s rearguard hesitated so that Mellberg and Majstorovic fund themselves in difficulty on more than one occasion.  At the end, the sizeable crowd present at the National Stadium had an entertaining evening and for at least eighty minutes they believed that Malta’s players could register a surprising, but a deserved point.

Sweden tried to dictate matters from the early stages, in search of an early goal that could have put their minds at rest and demoralize the hosts.  However, their early attempts through a header by Mellberg from a corner action, a low shot by Elmander and a free kcik by Ibrahimovic missed the target.  Malta’s first approach in Sweden’s area was more threatening as Michael Mifsud entered on 13 minutes from the right flank but his angled shot was neutralized by goalie Isaksson.  One minute later Mifsud almost came through in the area but Mellberg recovered in time and blocked the danger.  On 15 minutes Ibrahimovic unmarked Elmander in the area but the latter deflected over the crossbar.  Minutes later a quick free kick by Jamie Pace missed the target and on 25 minutes Isaksson was once again called to make a good save following a good effort from the edge of the area by Andrew Cohen.  Malta’s goalie was called into action on the half hour to clear off Mellberg from a corner action and seconds later it was Shaun Bajada who had a good strike that was deflected in corner by the defense.  Swdend increased pressure in the final stages of the first period but Malta’s brave players resisted well and closed all possible gaps to deny Sweden from creating open scoring opportunities.

After the break tried to maintain their momentum and in the 48^th minute a good effort by Kallstrom hit the woodwork and the danger was cleared with difficulty by the defense.  On the hour of play an overhead kick by Ibrahimovic was well neutralized by goalie Hogg and the Maltese replied with an angled shot by Alex Muscat that ended just wide.  Sweden’s substitute Hysen had a good header on 65 minutes that ended over the crossbar and another effort by Elmander minutes later also missed the target.  Michael Mifsud replied in the 72^nd minute through a typical move through Sweden’s rearguard but his final shot ended just over the crossbar.  Mintes later substitute Failla tried a good angled shot that was saved in two attempts by goalie Isaksson.

As the spectators increased their believe that Malta could earn a deserved point Sweden scored what had to be the decisive goal.  On 81 minutes Malta’s rearguard hesitated to clear a thrown in from the left flank.  The ball arrived to an unmarked Marcus Berg who tried to place the ball at Malta’s goalmouth, but the ball hit Ian Azzopardi’s knee and got the deflection to end behind goalie Hogg.  The Maltese did not manage to recover while Sweden were aiming to control their one goal lead, although they went agin close to scoring through an attempt by Helm that was deflected on the crossbar and efforts by Kallstom and Hysen that ended wide.

At the end of the match Malta’s national coach John Buttigieg was happy with the performance of his side and praised the players for the commitment and their discipline throughout the ninety minutes.

Referee: Adrian Mc Court (N. Ireland FA)