Malta share the points with Lithuania

The Malta National team played to a 1-1 draw with Lithuania and earned their first point in Group F of the European Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

5 October 2017, 11:05pm
by Kevin Grech

1 min read

Malta celebrate after their goal against Lithuania. Photo by Christine Borg

Both sides had numerous chances to score in a even match. This was the last home match for Malta in Group F and as well for coach Pietro Ghedin.

Malta managed to take the lead on the 23rd minute thanks to a goal from Andrei Agius. Andre had his long-distance shot hit the woodwork before the ball ended up at the back of the net.

Lithuania came close to scoring moments later when Deivydas Matulevicius beat goalkeeper Andrew Hogg to hit the post.

Malta managed to protect their lead till the end of the first half.

In the second half, Lithuania were the better side and managed to level the score on the 53rd minute.

Vykintas Slivka had his rising shot from just outside the area beat Andrew Hogg to make the score 1-1.

Great goalkeeping from both sides kept the ball out of the net as both teams had good chances to score.

MALTA Andrew Hogg, Joseph Zerafa, Steve Borg, Andrei Agius, Paul Fenech (90+2′ Cain Attard), Andre Schembri (46′ Clayton Failla), Luke Gambin (85′ Clyde Borg), Zach Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Alfred Effiong, Stephen Pisani.

LITHUANIA Emiljus Zubas, Tomas Mikuckis, Egidijus Vaitkunas, Deivydas Matulevicius (80′ Lukas Spalvis), Arvydas Novikovas, Vykintas Slivka, Edvinas Girdvainis, Mantas Kuklys, Nerijus Valskis (46′ Marius Papsys), Fiodor Cernych, Vytautas Andriuskevicius.

Referee: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)
Assistant Referees: Mesrop Ghazaryan, Vanik Simonyan (ARM)
Fourth Official: Suren Baliyan (ARM)
Yellow Cards: Kuklys, Girdvainis, Muscat
Attendance: 3,431