La Valleta, Feb 11, — Albania missed a chance to go to the top of its World Cup qualifying group by being held to a 0-0 draw by Malta on Wednesday.
Albania, coached by former Netherlands international Arie Haan, is third with six points, one behind both Denmark and Hungary.
Malta, however, was determined to earn its first point of the qualifying campaign and managed it with some solid defending and a solid display from Andre’ Schembri.
Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber had saved well from Chievo Verona striker Erjon Bodgani as Albania threatened in the first period. And despite more possession, the Maltese lacked the cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
But Malta’s display was more convincing than the 0-0 score line suggested.
Malta mentor Dusan Fitzel eschewed the 4-5-1 formation in favour of a more adventurous line-up the 4-1-4-1 but this change of style and attacking intent failed to have a bearing on Malta’s results.
In fact, Fitzel fielded four strikers with Terence Scerri operating as a focal point for the local side as he held up the ball, drifted and created space for his team-mates to break into.
Scerri’s movement created 4-3-3 configuration when Malta was on the attack the game to their opponents.
Skipper Gilbert Agius sat in front of the defense with Sammut and Schembri playing wide. This allowed Mifsud and Cohen to play up behind Scerri, making full use of their attacking talents which have made both of them such crucial players for their respective clubs.
As usual Malta looked vulnerable from set pieces, and it was no surprise when Chievo attacker Bogdani came face-to-face with Haber but the Sheffield United keeper jumped towards the striker to block his effort at the half hour mark.
Stung by Albania’s lively opening, Malta woke from their sleepy start with a Scerri shot that he drilled just wide after 47 minutes.
Malta would have been celebrating a famous victory had Scerri accepted an invitation to end three years of international anguish on the hour mark. Andre’ Schembri whipped in a teasing through pass, but Scerri, the 24-year-old Hibernians striker placed the ball over the bar having lost the marker with the goalkeeper stranded. Malta remained the better side and deserved more when Mifsud pounced on Bulku’s loose ball to put him clear but the onrushing keeper cleared the danger a few moments later.
It was Scerri’s movement and the intelligence of his interchanges with Andrew Cohen that created space for Mifsud.
Andre’ Schembri, an increasingly prominent presence in the game, ran menacingly at the Albania defense but his crossing shot finished just wide at the 67 minute mark. Fitzel decided to re-shuffle Malta’s pack after 80 minutes, with skipper Gilbert Agius one of two departures after a satisfactory match.
A link between Failla, one of the replacements and Mifsud almost brought the winner after 83 minutes, only for Mifsud to shoot wide off balance.
A few moments later, Albanian keeper Hidi found Mifsud’s shot too hot to handl,e but the defense cleared it away immediately.
It was Albania who finished stronger, however, without posing any real threat to the Malta defense.
MALTA J Haber, A Muscat [81’Failla], A Agius, L Dimech, G Agius [C] [86’Fenech], M Mifsud, K Sammut, A Cohen, A Schembri, T Scerri [69’Briffa], S Bajada
ALBANIA I Hidi, A Dallku, E Beqiri, D Curri, A Agolli [46’Vangjeli 80’Lila], E Vrapi, E Vrapi, E Bulku, G LIka, E Skela, K Duro, E Bogdani [75’Berisha]
Booked: Agolli, Vrapi, Lila
