Futsal Planet

Cyprus vs Malta

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

Cyprus entertained Malta today in what quickly become a one sided game. With both sides losing their opening fixtures it was a must win game if either team stood a chance of progressing through to the next round. Cyprus burst into an early lead with Christodoulou Christos for opening the scoring with in a few minutes. After the goal Cyprus took full control of the game with some exquisite flowing moves that had the opposition running and chasing the ball.

It wasn’t long before Cyprus doubled their lead through Chrysostomou Chrysostomos. The Cypriot scored an effort from the right hand side against Mifsud Matthew. That goal paved the way for Polyviou Kostas to have a crack at goal only for disseos Odisseas to deny him with a wonderful save.

Malta started to come back into the game as Cutajar John tested Odisseos Odisseas in the Cyprus goal only for the keeper to be up to the task. Scicluna Carlo then tried an audacious attempt of a lob but his effort sailed over the bar, failing to catch Odisseos Odisseas off his line.

That was all that Malta could muster against the free spirited attack of the Cypriot team and they were lucky to end the first half without conceding any more goals. A header by Mavroudis Kyriakos, set up by Iakovou Christos, saved by Mifsud Matthew along with a shot by Iakovou Christos that was cleared off the line. s Polyviou Kostas had a shot that was spilled by Mifsud Matthew and the follow up by Chrysostomou Chrysostomos was well saved by the keeper. Christodoulou Christos shot wide from the left hand side, Manoli Manolis rifled a shot against the post, Manoli Manolis hit a stinging shot at Mifsud Matthew before Mavroudis Kyriakos smashed one over the bar from close range. Good play by Polyviou Kostas set up Chrysostomou Chrysostomos with the player hitting an effort over the bar, Polyviou Kostas and Chrysostomou Chrysostomos both shot at the keeper and Manoli Manolis smashed one against the post as the first half came to an end.

The second half started much more brightly for Malta but they just couldn’t find a way of getting anything meaningful done in the final third. Then we were treated to some spectacular play from Polyviou Kostas as he does several step over’s and then fires in a shot from the left, an outstanding goal to make it 3-0.

Saliba Xavier had a great chance to pull one back for Malta with the keeper Odisseos Odisseas rushing out from his line but he hit it just wide of the right hand post. That was a warning shot to Cyprus and they stepped up the tempo and started creating the same shooting chances they created in the first. Chrysostomou Chrysostomos was the first to have a fizzing shot just creep over the bar for Cyprus. Borg Melvin was then booked for malta along with Magro Robert in what proved to be the only 2 cards shown in the game. Manoli Manolis then had a shot saved by Mifsud Matthew before Chrysostomou Chrysostomos passed it back to him in another flowing move but this time he shoots wide of the mark. Iakovou Christos managed to shoot wide and Mavroudis Kyriakos brought out a great save from Mifsud Matthew who then had to do the same again for Polyviou Kostas.

A free kick to Cyprus, 10m out was taken by Polyviou Kostas which led to a double block by the malta players, Manoli Manolis shot from out wide which was deflected clear by Mifsud Matthew. Cyprus then scored through Iakovou Christos from the resulting cross as he buried his effort into the net.

Iakovou Christos shot over the bar and Chrysostomou Chrysostomos’ shot brought out another good save from the busy Mifsud Matthew. Papadopoulos Iakovos was next to test Mifsud Matthew with a stinging strike before Manoli Manolis shot wide for Cyprus. It was a warning as Manoli Manolis passed to Chrysostomou Chrysostomos who played it back to him with an empty net to aim at, the player made no mistake and scored Cyprus’ 5th goal of the game.
Iakovou Christos hit a cracking shot off the post before Manoli Manolis played the ball to Loucas Siikis who rifled it against the post. Galea Alan of Malta showed that Malta were still in the game as he hit a shot at isseos Odisseas after a lovely run down the line. Ellul Michael then had a shot, Scicluna Carlo had a go and as the ball made it’s way around the box, Scicluna Carlo put it ust wide for malta. Borg Melvin had a run down the left and hit a shot at the keeper Odisseos Odisseas who saves with ease. Malta did finish the game stronger with Saliba Xavier playing the ball to Scicluna Carlo who shot at Odisseos Odisseas only for the goalkeeper to makes a fantastic save. That was the end of the game and all that was left was a quick chat with our MVP Manoli Manolis. He said “We lost yesterday so today we wanted to prove that we are a good team, I believe that this tournament will be very good for Futsal, it’s all very good, only two words, Very Good”.

Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com