Malta 0

Croatia 1

Malta: R. Gauci, A. Muscat, C. Failla, A. Agius, R. Mintoff, G. Sciberras, T. Cilia, C. Cassar (A. Schembri), P. Fenech, C. Frendo, S. Bajada (I. Zammit).

Croatia: T. Vranjic, M. Pelaic (G. Muljanovic), H. Cale, V. Corluka, N. Vukman, L. Modric, O. Vukojevic, T. Busic (J. Tadic), M. Grgurovic (A. Tomic), E. Da Silva.

Referees: L. Wilmes (Luxembourg).

Asst refs: L. Nober, C. Holtgen. 4th official: A. Taussant.

Scorers: T. Busic.

An early goal from striker Tomislav Busic in the first minute of play was enough for Croatia to take the three points against a gallant Malta side which deserved something better.

Croatia always appeared to be the better team, helped in no small measure by the early first minute goal.

That unsettled the Maltese considerably, but Miller's boys fought back even though they lacked punch up in front where Cleaven Frendo was too isolated. He deserved more support from his colleagues.

Malta shared the exchanges throughout, but apart from the goal, the two defences appeared to be in command.

The match had barely started and Croatia had already taken the lead. Busic received a long pass from midfield and advanced to beat Gauci with a low shot.

Two minutes later, Frendo almost equalised but his shot was well saved by the diving Vranjic. And on 20 minutes, after Da Silva had seen Gauci turning his shot to corner, Frendo again missed a good opportunity, hitting wide from the angle.

Frendo was almost third time lucky on 39 minutes, but the goalie again denied him with a splendid save.

In the second half, Malta also had a good opportunity, but after a Frendo freekick, Alex Muscat’s shot just missed the upright.

Other results

Finland-Macedonia 2-0; Kazakhstan- Greece 1-2; Ukraine-Turkey 0-0; Latvia-Slovakia 0-0; Russia-Portugal 0-1; Cyprus-Switzerland 1-5; Belarus-Italy 1-1; Azerbaijan-Austria 0-0; Poland-Wales 3-2; Lithuania-Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0; Spain-Serbia & Montenegro 2-0; Bulgaria-Iceland 1-3; Denmark-Georgia 1-0.