International Friendly | Malta 0 – Iceland 2

The first chance of the match was created by Iceland after eighteen minutes. Vidar Oern Kjartansson attempted a shot from distance that went high.

Kjartansson was close again on the 24th minute. The striker received the ball from Birkir Saevarrson and fired a strong shot that ended up high once more.

Hogg was on the alert to deny Iceland on the 33rd minute. The ball was delivered inside the penalty area towards Elias Mar Omarsson whose header forced a good save from the Maltese goalkeeper.

Malta’s only chance of the first half came on the 41st minute. Luke Gambin went inside the penalty area and hit a shot that sailed wide of the post.

The Maltese side went a goal down two minutes in the second half. Omarsson sent a cross inside the penalty area which Joseph Zerafa failed to completely clear. The ball fell for Arnor Ingvi Traustason who hit a low shot that hit the post and the goalkeeper before settling in inside the net.

On the 53rd Minute, Michael Mifsud became the most capped player for the national side with one hundred and twenty three matches after taking Alfred Effiong’s place.

Two minutes later, Gareth Scibberas tried his luck from distance, but his shot went wide.

Substitute Ryan Camenzuli went close on the 68th minute. Following a corner, the Iceland defenders failed to clear their marks. Possession fell for the Floriana player whose volley ended up wide.

Iceland doubled the score on the 75th minute. From a corner, Johann Gudmundsson sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Ingason Sverrir. The defender jumped high and fired a header that gave Hogg no chance.

Malta were close to reduce the margin of the score six minutes from time. From a free kick, Camenzuli sent a cross inside the penalty area towards Sam Magri who saw his header going high.

Malta starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Sam Magri, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Andrei Agius, Clayton Failla, Luke Gambin, Andre Schembri, Rowan Muscat, Steve Borg, Alfred Effiong.

Iceland starting line-up: Ingvar Jonsson, Birkir Saevarrson, Holmar Oern Eyjolffson, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Vidar Oern Kjartansson, Arnor Smarason, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Runar Mar Sigurjonsson, Elias Mar Omarsson, Arnor Ingvi Traustason, Ari Skulason.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Northern Ireland)