Watch: Camenzuli’s strike hands Malta battling win in Andorra

ANDORRA 0

MALTA           1

Camenzuli 45

ANDORRA

I. Alvarez, B. Borra (64 R. Fernandez), I. Olivera, M. Llovera, J. Guillen (35 J. Teixeira), M. San Nicolas (81 E De La Heras), J. Rubio (64 J. Alaez), E. Vales, E. Vales (81 C. Garcia), J. Cervos, A. Rosas.

MALTA

H. Bonello, J. Borg, K. Shaw, Z. Muscat, R. Camenzuli, M. Guillaumier, J. Mbong, C. Zammit Lonardelli, T. Teuma (90 Y. Yankam), K. Nwoko (78 P. Mbong), L. Montebello (60 K. Reid).

Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (Sweden).

Yellow cards: Guillen, Alaez, Rosas, Zammit Lonardelli.

Malta produced a gritty performance to overcome the challenge of Andorra and pick up their first win in the UEFA Nations League.

After Saturday’s debacle in Moldova, all the pressure was on Michele Marcolini’s side to deliver the three points to kickstart their campaign against the Andorrans.

Ryan Camenzuli turned out to be Malta’s hero when he fired home the winner just before half-time that secured a first win in League D Group 2.

However, the real protagonist for Malta was goalkeeper Henry Bonello as the Ħamrun Spartans goalkeeper produced three crucial one-on-one saves that preserved the team’s advantage and secure a vital victory.

Marcolini will surely be relieved to see his team secure victory after a much-improved display which saw the players produce a fighting performance, fighting for the ball and manage to contain Andorra’s late efforts for an equaliser.

Now, Malta will hope to keep the momentum for their next fixture against Moldova on October 13 where they need to take all three points with at least a two-goal margin to keep alive their hopes of promotion.

Malta coach Michele Marcolini as promised rang the changes as he made no less than four changes from the team that slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Moldova on Saturday.

Influential midfielder Teddy Teuma was certified fit to start at the expense of Steve Pisani. Kyrian Nwoko was preferred to Paul Mbong while Carlo Zammit Lonardelli was given the nod ahead of Yannick Yankam.

Luke Montebello was rewarded for his bright second-half showing in Chisinau as he replaced Kemar Reid.

As expected, the opening minutes of the match saw both teams battle for supremacy with Andorra trying to use their physical power to outwit the Maltese side.

Gradually, Malta started to asset their dominance and midway through the first half they twice came close to an opener.

In fact, they created their first chance after 19 minutes when from a short free-kick, Teuma fed Joseph Mbong who hit a thumping drive that was pushed over by goalkeeper Iker Alvarez.

The Andorran goalkeeper again denied Malta from the ensuing corner when he somehow kept out Zammit Lonardelli’s header.

On 26 minutes, Montebello fed Ryan Camenzuli but the latter miscued his shot and the ball flashed wide.

Andorra were forced to make their first change on 34 minutes as Guillen limped out injured and was replaced by Joao Teixeira.

Malta kept fighting to gain supremacy and their efforts were finally rewarded just before the break.

Matthew Guillaumier did well to win possession in midfield and sent a fine looping pass that was not controlled by either Nwoko or Montebello but in came Ryan Camenzuli who hit a thumping drive that gave no chance to Alvarez.

Six minutes into the second half Jean Borg’s back pass caught Kurt Shaw wrongfooted and Rosas sped clear but was denied by the onrushing Bonello to the relief of Marcolini.

On 56 minutes, Camenzuli sent a fine pass towards Montebello who moved inside the area but was blocked by Olivera as he was about to shoot.

That turned out to be Montebello’s final contribution as he was replaced by Reid.

On 62 minutes, a long Andorra throw caused mayhem in the Malta box but luckily Jesus Rubio fired wide.

Malta was living dangerously and three minutes later, Jordi Alaez, who had just replaced Rubio, fired a shot that just missed the upright with Bonello beaten.

The visitors finally threatened on 70 minutes when Reid picked Nwoko inside the area but the Floriana forward headed wide.

At the other end, Zack Muscat’s hesitancy to control the ball was almost punished as he was dispossessed by Ricard Fernandez who stormed through and was denied by Bonello.

Fourteen minutes from time, Mbong stole possession with 30 metres out and instead of serving Nwoko he fired a firm drive that finished wide.

In the final minutes, Andorra laid siege to Malta’s goal, sending a series of long crosses but the Maltese backline did well to clear the danger and secure a vital victory.