MALTA DISAPPOINT IN LAST HOME MATCH

Malta featured in a disappointing 1-4 defeat against the Czech Republic in the last home match from the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualification Group. In a match which saw captain Michael Mifsud making his 100th appearance for the national team, Malta had a bad start when just after 3 minutes T. Hubschman's low shot was deflected by Rowen Muscat and Haber's attempt wasn't enough to save the ball form going into the back of the net. Though the team looked like performing well below par when compared to the two previous home encounters, Malta still managed to create a couple good opportunities. On 17 minutes John Mintoff was slow to ract on Alex Muscat's through ball allowing Petr Cech to anticipate. A few minutes later Michael Mifsud saw Petr Cech saving his shot from point blank range after runing into the penalty area from the left hand side, after stealing the ball from a hesitant Czech defender. D. Lafata made it 2-0 for the Czechs on 33 minutes, anticipating keeper Haber to head home a cross coming in from the right. Michael Mifsud got Malta back into the match two minutes after the re-start when he slot the ball home past keeper Cech after a well thought pass from R. Briffa. Malta's joy was however short lived when just after 4 minutes Kadlec found himself alone in front of goal to cooly place the ball at the back of the net. Conceding yet another soft goal put the steam out of the Malta team and a reaction never looked like happening. It was then only left for substitute Pekhart to head home past the helpless Haber in the dying seconds of the game for a final1-4 scoreline. For a full match report CLICK HERE