Gibraltar’s Senior Men’s National Team began their home double-header in fine form, as they put in a confident and convincing performance, running out 2-0 winners against Liechtenstein thanks to goals from captain Roy Chipolina and Liam Walker.
Despite the overall result and the convincing nature of Gibraltar’s victory, it was the visitors who went close first as Dayle Coleing was called upon to deny a Liechtenstein set-piece, diving low to parry a difficult drive into the box.
The early chance proved to be a rare one for Liechtenstein, as Gibraltar, urged on by a cheering home crowd, began to put the visitors under increasing amount of pressure.
Gibraltar would have the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute through a powerful Louie Annesley volley, only for the linesman’s offside flag to cut the celebrations short.
The home side would not be denied however, and in the 14th minute, who else but captain fantastic himself, Roy Chipolina, stepped up to power Gibraltar into the lead.
A long Jayce Olivero throw-in towards the penalty spot was flicked on by Graeme Torrilla before being met by Chipolina who climbed high and used his momentum to slam his header into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game.
The goal subsequently put Chipolina joint-top of Gibraltar’s top-scorers chart, however, the captain would only remain there for six minutes, as Liam Walker reclaimed top spot on the 20th minute with Gibraltar’s second goal of the night.
A long ball forward to Tjay De Barr was brought down expertly by the Wycombe Wanderers man, who himself proved a constant menace to the Liechtenstein backline all night.
The returning front-man swung a ball into the box which found its way to Walker, whose driving strike was handled on the line resulting in a red card for the visitors and a penalty to Gibraltar.
Walker himself stepped up to take the spot kick and in the 20th minute doubled Gibraltar’s lead, securing himself once again the top-spot of Gibraltar’s top-scorer charts.
From the moment Gibraltar netted their second of the night they looked comfortable and in control of the match, with their midfield, being marshalled excellently by Graeme Torrilla who helped Gibraltar keep the visitors at bay and hold possession well as Julio Ribas’ men played the ball around Liechtenstein’s 10-men.
With this being said, Liechtenstein proved to be no slouches, and in the second half Coleing was called upon again on a few occasions, however, the Lincoln Red Imps goalkeeper looked determined as ever to ensure he walked away with an international clean-sheet.
The 90 minutes also saw more minutes given to young talent Nicholas Pozo who came on deep into the second half, as well as Julian Valarino, who proved to be a menace off the bench, drawing fouls for fun and looking a constant threat in possession.
Gibraltar are next in action on Saturday, when they host Andorra in what will be their final ever match at the Victoria Stadium as we know it, before returning to Faro’s Estádio Algarve in 2023.
