Futsal Planet

Malta vs Palestine

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

Palestine looked to shake off their heartbreaking penalty defeat to Cyprus as they took on a Malta side fresh from a goal glut from Syria. It was Palestine who looked the most likely to score as Alneirab Mahmoud had a shot on the left that was saved by Mifsud Matthew. Saliba Xavier was booked for bringing down Alneirab Mahmoud as the referee’s stamped their authority on the game. Huthut Hasan brought out a good save from Mifsud Matthew, and Cutajar John broke from a good spell of pressure from Palestine and brought out a great save from Albattrawi Hussein. It was Malta though who took the lead as Brincat Chriss released a thunderbolt from way out that found it’s way into the back of the net.

A good double save from Mifsud Matthew kept Malta in the game as they started to have a bit more possession. Alhelou Anas hit the post for Palestine and Abugheeth Alaa missed a glorious chance to equalize as he failed to make contact with a driven cross across the box. Alhelou Anas then fired a shot past Mifsud Matthew only to see it cannon back off the post to give Malta possession. Palestine were really piling on the pressure and Alneirab Mahmoud had a shot that Mifsud Matthew stopped, he gathered the second ball as it’s rolling towards the goal.

Cutajar John had a shot and he should have scored, Alneirab Mahmoud was lying injured in the opponents box when he dired wide of the mark form 6 metres. Huthut Hasan was booked for Palestine for talking back to the referee as Smith David almost scored for Malta. After that Malta started to defend deep and invited Palestine to have several shots on goal. Altalmas Zeyad had a shot deflected just wide, Alhelou Anas fired just wide from the right across goal as players started to slip all over the place. This was great as it really opened the game back up and a Palestinian break forced Magro Robert to hold back his player to receive a yellow card.

Abugheeth Alaa continued the Palestinian attacks as he fired into the side netting and Hajaj Mohammed hit the post. Saliba Xavier had a shot across goal for Malta on a rare attack and Magro Robert cleared a ball off the line from another Palestinian attack. Magro Robert hit the post and Saliba Xavier follow up was cleared as Malta came back into the game. It proved to be the right option as Cutajar John settled Malta’s nerves a goal that takes a deflection as he hits it but ends up in the back of the net. They didn’t celebrate for long though as Alneirab Mahmoud gets a goal back to keep Palestine in the game. Huthut Has’s shot was tipped over bar by Mifsud Matthew as Palestine went all out to get something from the game.

With 5 mins still remainaing both sides went for that next goal, it created end to end Futsal with some fantastic defending from both sides. Scicluna Carlo conceded a free kick 8 metres out for a foul on Huthut Hasan, it was broken up and Malta’s counter attack was stopped by the onrushing Albattrawi Hussein. Huthut Hasan and usef Jalal both hit the side netting when they should have scored. Abugheeth Alaa forced Mifsud Matthew into 2 fantastic saves as Malta deployed the long ball over the top into space as they hung on.

Then with Palestine playing with a fly keeper Scicluna Carlo eased their nerves by scoring from his own box, looping the ball over everyone and into the back of the net. It was Malta’s first ever Futsal win in 27 attempts and the coach and players were ecstatic.

Most Valuable Player Mifsud Matthew said after the game “We had 6 players not here and we played only on the counter, for this team it is great, you see how happy they are for their first ever win, we have the talent, we just need the structure.”

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