The bumper crowd which turned up at Ta'Qali to watch this encounter against Turkey, was not let down by the locals' courageous performance against mighty opponents.

Despite absorbing the Turkish onslaught for long stretches, the national team earned a creditable two-all draw, after twice going in front, only to be caught up soon after.

Yesterday's result is another historic one for the national team, which earned its fifth point, and the fourth at home, in this qualifying campaign for EURO 2008, a record in competitive matches. It was a great relief after a barren run of three consecutive defeats, and a promising start to the new season.

Malta again put up a collective effort, working hard at the back and passing through some sufferings, but character again prevailed. Special mention though must go to Brian Said, who, besides scoring Malta's opening goal, came to his side's rescue on several occasions besides blotting out Turkey's danger man Hakan Sukur.

There were few surprises in Malta's starting eleven. Justin Haber was preferred to Muscat in goal while defender Ian Azzopardi was included in the usual left back position after fully recovering from an injury sustained in training during the week. Said and Dimech were the central defenders. Kenneth Scicluna played as right back. Malta opted for a flexible 4-4-2 tactical plan, with Briffa, Pace, Agius and Woods in midfield and Schembri operating as support to Mifsud in attack. Captain Gilbert Agius, making his 103rd appearance for Malta yesterday, was presented with a memento by MFA president Joe Mifsud before kick-off.

But at times Malta had to defend even with five players as Briffa was forced to close down the dangerous forays of Sanli or Turan, and later Uzulmez, as they altered positions, down our right flank.

Turkey fielded a strong formation, but veteran keeper Rustu Recber sat on the bench, with the young club mate Arikan deputising in goal. They opted for a three-man attack in the shape of Halil Altintop, Sanli and the lethal Sukur. The Turks' intention of improving upon their last two winless outings against Bosnia Herzegovina and Norway, were clear from the outset, changing tactics some three times during the course of the game as they failed to break down Malta's tight defence.

Despite playing an attacking game, Malta were well organised and held out to their opponents' lion's share of possession.

Turkey carved out very few, if any, goal scoring opportunities in the first half hour. Past the quarter hour, Turan laid the ball to Halil Altintop whose close header was somewhat blocked. Midway through the half, a Turkish initiative, started by Hamit Altintop ended with him shooting over, after nearly catching the Maltese defence by surprise.

Again the Turks went close with Belozoglu's cross to Sukur, judged to have been in an offside position, although Haber had saved his shot.

On 36 minutes, the Malta defence passed through some anxious moments when Haber lost the ball when faced by Sukur but luckily Scicluna cleared the ball into a corner.

On 40 minutes, Malta forged ahead with a well taken opportunity. Briffa's corner kick from the right fell in Brian Said's path and the Malta defender shot the ball straight past keeper Arkan.

The Turks were stunned but responded with Akman's low drive which Haber blocked well.

And with half-time looming, the Turks levelled. Uzulmez's cross from the left was fired against the underside of the bar by Halil Altintop, the ball deflected off Haber's back before crossing the line, as the fourth official signalled two minutes of added time.

The Turks looked more aggressive in the second half. Hardly seven minutes after the restart, Karadeniz, who had just gone in as a substitute for Sarioglu, connected well on another dangerous cross from the left but had his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Said. The plucky Malta defender again headed out Karadeniz's cross into a corner, before Sukur could connect.

Malta tried to break the Turks' momentum as Pace's low cross from right found no support.

But Turkey kept going forward in attacking waves as Malta's rearguard defended grimly.

Haber made a superb reflex save from Halil Altintop, on Uzulmez's cross, the latter given a more advancing role after the inclusion of Baris on 65 minutes.

Haber again denied Sukur with a plunging save.

The National Stadium erupted on 74 minutes when Malta took the lead again, courtesy of a quickly taken free-kick towards Mifsud who exploited space, and when blocked by his opponent, passed the ball towards the middle for Andre Schembri to flick the ball past the keeper's reach despite Getin's challenge.

But the roars of 'Malta, Malta' soon abated. Hardly two minutes later, the tall Turkish defender Servet Cetin turned attacker to head in Hamit Altintop's corner from the right and restore equilibrium. Turkey kept trying. Akman served the unmarked Belozoglu whose shot on the turn was held out by the foot of the post.

With Turkey pushing everything forward, Malta could find more space and the runs of Pace from midfield were becoming a menace to the Turkish defence, looking uncomfortable against the pacey Mifsud.

The final minutes were hectic to say the least. Mifsud's diagonal shot went wide as Haber held out the Turks' final but feeble assault as Malta ended with heads held high, by contrast to their disappointed opponents.

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Malta: J. Haber, I. Azzopardi, B. Said, L. Dimech, G. Agius, R. Briffa (K. Sammut), M. Mifsud, I. Woods (G. Mallia), A. Schembri (T. Scerri), K. Scicluna, J. Pace

Turkey: H. Arikan, S. Cetin, I. Uzulmez, E. Belozoglu, H. Sukur, A. Turan (Akman), T. Sanli (D. Baris), I. Toraman, H. Altintop, H. Altintop, S. Sarioglu (G. Karadeniz)

Referee: S. Messner (Austria FA)

Scorers: B. Said, H. Altintop, A. Schembri, S. Cetin

Yellow cards: J. Pace, A. Schembri, B. Said, A. Akman, G. Agius, I. Toraman