Moldova 2
Malta 0
Michele Marcolini’s team had a game plan of 3-4-1-2 to face Moldova which ended to be a 5-4-1. Malta conceded twice from set pieces in the first half and was never a treat for the opponents throughout the game.
As anticipated, the home team played an exceedingly aggressive match, confining the boys in red to their own half, particularly in the first half. The Maltese defence held strong for thirty minutes, but Moldova eventually broke through, netting a second goal via a penalty just before the halftime whistle.
With Steve Borg and Enrico Pepe unavailable, Marcolini opted to start with Zach Muscat, Kurt Shaw, and Jean Borg in defence. Meanwhile, as Teddy Teuma was still working towards full fitness, Steve Pisani joined Matthew Guillaumier and Yannick Yankam in the midfield.
Henry Bonello began the match in goal, with Muscat, Shaw, and Borg forming the defensive line. Joseph Mbong and Ryan Camenzuli occupied the flanks, while Yankam, Guillaumier, and Pisani controlled the midfield. Up front, Paul Mbong and Kemar Reid were positioned as forwards.
The hosts nearly scored after just six minutes when Caimacov set up Platica on the right; from Platica’s pass, Artur Ionita narrowly missed. Two minutes later, Ionita provided a cross from the left to Caimacov, who managed to control it but shot wide. On the 23rd minute, Ionita unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that barely missed the post.
Malta responded with an excellent cross from the left by Ryan Camenzuli. Although Yannick Yankam missed the connection, Paul Mbong controlled the ball and forced goalkeeper Celeadnic into a save with a sharp shot from the right after 25 minutes.
Seven minutes later, Moldova took the lead as Mihail Caimacov’s direct freekick from the right left goalkeeper Bonello helpless.
In injury time, Moldova doubled their advantage when they were awarded a penalty. Ukrainian referee Mykola Balakin pointed to the spot for what he deemed a foul by Bonello on Caimacov, and Ion Nicolaescu made no mistake from 12 yards.
For the second half, Marcolini substituted Yannick Yankam and Kemar Reid with Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Luke Montebello. Within two minutes, Montebello tested the Moldovan keeper after being set up on the left by Paul Mbong.
However, on 52 minutes, Nicolaescu nearly extended the lead when he won possession on the edge of the box but saw his effort strike the base of the post. A freekick by Caimacov sailed just over the bar on 66 minutes. Five minutes later, Bonello made a fine save from an Ionita freekick.
Matthew Guilluamier’s powerful shot from outside the box was saved by Celeadnic in the 84th minute.
MOLDOVA: Dumitru Celeadnic, Oleg Reabciuk, Denis Marandici, Artur Ionita (75’ Victor Stina), Nichita Motpan (70’ Victor Bogaciuc), Ion Nicolaescu (70’ Vitalie Damascan), Mihail Caimacov (85’ Maxim Cojocaru), Artur Craciun, Victor Mudrac, Sergiu Platica, Vadim Rata.
MALTA: Henry Bonello, Jean Borg, Ryan Camenzuli, Kurt Shaw, Matthew Guillaumier (85’ Nikolai Muscat), Joseph Mbong, Steve PIsani (70’ Teddy Teuma), Kemar Reid (46’ Luke Montebello), Yannick Yankam (46’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Paul Mbong (70’ Kyrian Nwoko), Zach Muscat.
Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR
Assistant Referees: Oleksandr Berkut and Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR
Fourth official: Vitaliy Romanov UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi UKR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Denys Shurman UKR
