Malta scored their first goal and picked up their first point in Group H to deliver a huge blow to Bulgaria’s qualifying hopes. In fact, this could have been the last match for Luboslav Penev (Bulgaria’s coach), after the Bulgarian FA decided to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the team’s situation after this "humiliation’.
With Michael Mifsud suspended for this match after being red-carded against Italy last month, Ghedin opted for the young Jean Paul Farrugia (who plays in Slovakia with Spartak Trnava) as the lone striker, supported by the hard-working midfield, Andre Schembri, who match after match constantly shows his importance in the squad. Andrew Hogg was confirmed again as he is performing well with his club in Greece.
Bulgaria took the lead just after 5 minutes, after Galabinov, who probably was in an offside position, put the ball behind Hogg after a great cross by the captain Popov, who later on in the match, missed the chance to put Bulgaria in front again after missing his penalty. It seemed that this early goal would make the match easier for the home side, but the Bulgarians were not able to dominate the match, and consequently finding that the second goal that would have made the match was going to be difficult against Ghedin’s team.
The Maltese started the second half very aggressively, and after some good combinations upfront, Farrugia was fouled in the box, earning a penalty which was the reward for their performance ’til that minute. Failla was in charge to take the penalty, and without any signs of pressure or over-enthusiasm, he scored a beautifully played penalty to equalise the score. The Bulgarians were shocked by this equaliser and they started to put the ball in the box frequently but without having any patterns or ideas in order to create serious attacks.
In the 75th minute though, Rowen Muscat fouled Micanski in the penalty area and the referee had no doubts in giving Bulgaria a penalty. But luckily enough, Popov send the ball to the skies, with the result remaining at 1-1. The Maltese had to prepare for a huge assault in the last 10 minutes, and they showed that they were able to defend well, keeping this positive result until the final whistle.
As the referee ended the match, the Maltese gathered in the middle of the pitch to celebrate this positive result. A draw which gives Malta her first point in this group and the first goal in this group as well. Now the Maltese are penultimate, with 1 point over Azerbaijan whom the Maltese will be facing next March in Bakù.
Forza Malta!