Malta’s national football team suffered a 4-0 defeat by a superior Slovenia play at the National Stadium last night. Slovenia’s returning Josip Ilicic delivered a double score, with Sporar and Sesko rounding up the 4-0 score in the 49 and 67 minutes respectively. This was the heaviest defeat in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers for Devis Mangia’s team, and should serve as an opportunity to brush up before the vital clash against Cyprus next week.
They will still have to play without two key players however, as both Joseph Mbong and Alex Satariano received a yellow card. The Maltese will have to show how last night’s defeat was merely a slip up after stellar performances against Cyprus, Russia and the same Slovenia before yesterday. The title of captain was handed over from Steve Borg to Zach Muscat as Slovenia welcomed back a previously suspended Ilicic. The national team are definitely becoming a competitive powerhouse at an international level, and yesterday’s unfortunate result could be just what was required to refocus and get back on the pitch.
#MaltaDaily
Photo Source: SportsDesk (Chris Sant Fournier)