Match Report
First half:
The opening 45 minutes were rather evenly contested, though the visitors came in 1-0 to the good. They probably just edged this half on background of opportunities created. The period’s only goal came courtesy of the hero from the 1-0 win against Northern Ireland two months earlier: Lecce’s István Vincze half-volleyed home a deep cross from Rezső Kékesi. A much-depleted Hungary were never too comfortable, and the hosts were far from overawed by their opponents, creating a couple of goalscoring opportunities themselves, most notably with striker David Carabott hitting Péter Disztl’s bar with an effort from 35 yards which caught the Hungarian goalkeeper by surprise. With skipper Ray Vella back in the side, they were much more composed in the centre of the pitch than had been the case in Belfast. West German manager Horst Heese kept faith in a five man strong backline, with (English third tier) Brentford’s recent signing John Buttigieg continuing his sweeping duties from Windsor Park. In fact, the only change at the back came on the right hand side, where the younger of the Camilleri brothers, Silvio, would step in for Joe Brincat. S Camilleri had a modest first half, though he did venture across the halfway line on a couple of occasions.
Hungary seemed to lack creativity from the centre of the pitch, where two fairly young and inexperienced players at international level were given a lot of responsibility: Ervin Kovács (21) and Zoltán Csucsánszky (23) at times struggled to keep the lively Charles Scerri in tow, and when in possession, they did not muster a whole lot themselves. However, Videoton’s Csucsánszky was probably instrumental in most of what Hungary had to offer, especially as he was the designated set-piece man. He could, and possibly should, have scored when István Kozma, in an unfamiliar right back role, got to the byline and cut his pass back 45 degrees, only for the midfielder to finish low and not particularly impressive along the ground and straight into the goalkeeper’s arms. Perhaps the very same goalkeeper should consider himself slightly fortunate, however, to still be on the pitch by then, as he on 33 minutes came out of his area to try and deal with a through ball, only resulting in him scything down Csucsánszky on the edge of the penalty area’s D. TV commentators were even comparing it to ‘Toni’ Schumacher’s attack on Frenchman Battiston back in the ’82 World Cup, though it was not quite of similar proportions. The Greek referee only produced a yellow card, and the resulting free-kick was wasted by Csucsánszky.
Ray Vella was nicknamed Il-Mundu, and the Maltese skipper had a certain presence about him despite his fairly average physique. He took the deep midfield role, orchestrating whatever Malta were trying to do going forward, relieving some of the responsibility off John Buttigieg, who had been the sole force of inspiration behind the two strikers in Northern Ireland (though acting as a sweeper, or perhaps ‘libero’ is a more fitting description for the man who had captained Malta in Vella’s absence). There was also the industry of Charles Scerri, who did have a fine first 45 minutes. The Hungarian back four were rarely threatened, though. Malta would need to carve out some proper openings in the latter 45 in order to get something out of the game.
Second half:
The two Hungarian forwards kicked off the second half, and they would play it backwards, the ball eventually finding its way to left-sided defender Keller, whose stray pass got picked up by skipper Vella, who had seen Busuttil making a run in behind the visitors’ defence. The pass was timed to perfection: no offside, no Hungarian centre back managed to cut off the space left behind by Keller’s lack of discipline. One on one with the shady looking and bearded figure of Péter Disztl, the Maltese forward rounded the Honvéd goalie and saw the stadium erupt as the ball crossed the goalline for the equalizer. Big fault on József Keller, and perhaps László Disztl could have been more observant too, in making a few steps to the left in order to close Busuttil down.
1-1 has fuelled Malta into life, and buoyed by the vociferous crowd their extra energy levels seem to unease Hungary, where really only goalkeeper Disztl and striker Kiprich are experienced at international level, perhaps accompanied by Vincze. However, they manage to compose themselves, and when Malta defender Edwin Camilleri has to go off after a collision with his own ‘keeper following a Hungarian corner from the right, Tatabánya forward József Kiprich will soon be given the responsibility to regain the visitors’ lead: Malta substitute Nicky Saliba, who has come on for the injured Camilleri only a minute earlier, makes a poorly timed challenge on the diminutive Kékesi inside his own box, and the ref can do nothing but award Hungary a penalty. Kiprich dispatches with ease. Saliba, having made his international bow in a friendly draw with Cyprus only three weeks earlier, could hardly have made a worse impression after coming on.
What follows contains little in terms of quality. Hungary are happy to sit back and let Malta take over the initiative, and they appear to have a lot of potential on the break, in particular down the right hand side, where both Kékesi and Kiprich are equipped with pace. The balls forward from the back and from midfield lack precision, though, and after their 2-1 goal, Hungary hardly manage to trouble Cluett. After replacing the more experienced Camilleri brother, Saliba settles into the very same man-marking role, but would his unfortunate involvement that lead to the Magyars’ penalty ultimately prove to be Malta’s undoing? Only a few minutes after falling behind, Gregory has a decent opportunity to bring the Maltese level when he takes on a pass inside the penalty area from Busuttil. Péter Disztl makes a fine stop from Gregory’s shot.
With 17 minutes remaining, both sides make a substitution: Malta take off right-sided defender Silvio Camilleri and replace him with Silvio Vella, who immediately settles into the sweeper role previously occupied by Buttigieg, who is moved forward into a more advanced position: midfield appears to be Buttigieg’s new address. Heese makes no secret of the fact that he is chasing a second equalizer. Scerri will take over duties on the right hand side, though he is far from as defensively focused as the debutant whose place he had succeeded. Carabott, who during the second half has been seen along the right hand touchline, will be operating further forward and more in-field. The Hungarians’ change comes with Ferencváros forward Pál Fischer making his only second international when coming on to replace Vincze. Balogh will take over Vincze’s place on the left hand side of midfield, with Fischer going up top to accompany Kiprich.
Despite seeing a lot of possession, there appears to be little Malta can do to unlock the Hungarian defence. Busuttil has a tame effort easily saved by Disztl. Then, at the other end, Fischer tries to get past his marker Galea using his hand, but the referee sees his rather weak Maradona impression and awards a free-kick to the home side. However, contrary to some reports, there is no yellow card produced for the visitors’ substitute. Three minutes from time, in order to preserve their lead, Mezey brings on defender Attila Pintér for Kiprich, though he slots into a defensive midfield position more or less alongside Kovács. And yet again a substitute will be instrumental in a situation leading to a goal, when Pintér clumsily and unnecessarily brings down Carabott out by the right touchline. Silvio Vella fires the resultant free-kick into the area, and well into injury time, a minute and 22 seconds in to be precise, Il-Bużu makes Hungary suffer when he applies the finishing touch under Disztl’s despairing dive. Once again Ta’ Qali explodes into life: Malta appear to have taken a big point off the group’s second seed. Shortly after kick-off, the Greek ref blows his whistle for the final time. The inexperienced Hungary side will have been hugely disappointed to have lost a point in injury time. 2-2 is perhaps a fair reflection of events after all.
Conclusion:
Despite fielding a much weakened side, Hungary were thought to return home with two points. However, Malta, with captain Ray Vella back in the side, had other ideas, and though falling behind as early as the seventh minute, they rid themselves of whatever respect they had for facing a former football great. They play with a lot of heart and passion, and the relatively young Hungarian side is finding it hard to maintain any rhythm, also partly because of the bumpy surface. When Malta equalize only a few seconds into the final period, they realize they have a decent opportunity to get something from the game. Unfortunately, substitute Saliba, having been on the pitch less than a minute, clumsily gives away a penalty when he brings down winger Kékesi. Kiprich despatches comfortably, and Malta need to chase another equalizer. This could see Hungary perhaps sit back and hit them on the counter, but it doesn’t happen: The weakened Hungarian side is unable to take advantage of any openings that might have presented themselves, and Malta’s aggression will eventually bring them a sensational second equalizer. After that, there is no time for the visitors to go in search of a third goal. Ta’ Qali goes mental. Malta have won a cracking point, and it is well deserved. Hungary will have been disappointed to concede so late, but they got just what they deserved from a rather negative performance.
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