Kosovo               3
Malta                  1

Kosovo: S. Ujkani, F. Aliti, H. Shala, H. Kryeziu, A. Zeneli (M. Rashica 76'), A. Rrahmani, V. Berisha (B. Halimi 74'), M. Vpjvoda, B. Kololli, V. Muriqi (L. Kastrati 83'), E. Zhegrova

Malta: A. Hogg, J. Mbong, S. Borg, A. Agius, P. Fenech (R. Briffa 60'), M. Mifsud, A. Schembri (A. Effiong 64'), R. Muscat (S. Pisani 83'), C. Failla, J. Corbola, F. Apap.

Referee: Tamas Bognar (Hungary)

Scorer: B. Kololli 30', 81', A. Agius 51', V. Muriqi 68',

Yellow cards: M. Mifsud 64', H. Kryeziu 69', S. Pisani 92', A. Agius 92'

Red card: M. Mifsud 70'

Malta was beaten on Thursday in Prishtina by a superior Kosovo outfit who consolidated their aspirations to win the group and obtain promotion to League C. Kosovo deserved their victory but Ray Farrugia's side never threw in the towel, even with ten men, and went down fighting.

The Maltese were outpaced in the first half but survived with just a one goal deficit with some brilliant Hogg saves and some luck too, as the hosts hit the post. On the resumption Malta had a brilliant opening fifteen minutes, obtaining the equaliser with an Andrei Agius and putting their opponents in disarray with good possession of the ball.

But after this Kosovo regained control and regained the lead half way through the second half. This was the definite turning point of the game as Michael Mifsud was sent off shortly afterwards and Kosovo killed off the match with a third goal and even pressed for more goals, but it would have been too harsh on the Maltese.

Apart from Hogg who was outstanding for Malta, Andrei Agius played a blinder, even scoring Malta's equaliser, a goal which shattered Ujkani clean sheet so far in competitive matches. Newcomer Corbolan also had a good debut, and Apap grew in confidence after a rather shaky start. Steve Borg was the usual solid self in defence, and Mbong drew in composure as the game progressed.

Michael Mifsud was one of the best too, but the double yellow received marred his performance, as he will now miss the delicate match in Baku on Sunday.

As expected Ryan Camilleri failed to make it. Ferdinando Apap was a starter for the first time in his third appearance with the national team, and Gzira's Miguel Corbolan made his debut.

Malta started with the usual set-up with Steve Borg, Andrei Agius, and Ferdinando Apap in defence, aided on the flanks by Clayton Failla and Joseph Mbong. In midfield Paul Fenech and Rowen Muscat played a central role with Michael Mifsud on the right and newcomer Corbolan on the left, with Andre Schembri in the most advanced position.

Kosovo started on the offensive with gifted Edon Zhegrova showing some good skills. The Maltese however easily withstood this early pressure. On twelve minutes Hogg made a great save off a Zhegrova drive from the edge of the area.

On 20 minutes Hogg easily saved a Berisha central freekick, and seven minutes later Hogg again blocked a long range effort from Zeneli. Kosovo's best chance came on 29 minutes when Muriqi nipped in between Agius and Borg but his lob was brilliantly blocked by Hogg.

However the goal was in the offing and Kosovo broke the deadlock when Benjamin Kololli was put through by Berisha and he easily beat Hogg with a low drive. It was now a difficult moment for the locals as the hosts pushed for more and Hogg again came to the rescue blocking Muriqi's close range shot.

Five minutes from the break Malta captain Michael Mifsud tested Ujkani after beating a couple of defenders. Two minutes later the post saved Malta on Zhegrova's shot, after another defence splitting move started from the same Genk player, who undoubtedly stole the show in the first fourty five minutes. The first half with yet another opportunity for the hosts with Rrahmani's header going wide.

No changes were made after the break and after five minutes Malta silenced the home crowd when from a Clayton Failla corner, Andrei Agius headed beautifully home from close range, this was the first goal suffered by Kosovo in competitive matches.

After the shock Kosovo tried a reaction with Zeneli's effort blocked in time by Mbong. Malta were now playing better, much better as Kosovo found it hard to regain their superiority. On the hour Farrugia made the first change with Rodrick Briffa coming in for Paul Fenech.

Malta had a close shave on 63 minutes but Hogg managed to block following a scramble in front of goal. Farrugia made another substitution with Effiong coming in for Andre Schembri, and sixty seconds later the Maltese lads had another lucky escape when Zhegrova's low shot hit the base of the upright with Hogg beaten.

But luck favoured the locals on 68 minutes when a defensive rebound favoured Muriqi who fired home from an ideal position. Things got definitely complicated two minutes later when Michael Mifsud received a second booking in the space of six minutes and was sent off.

Kosovo were now in search of the killer touch and Hogg made a great save off a Rashica shot from the edge of the area. The locals set their minds at rest nine minutes from time when substitute Rashica passed towards Benjamin Kololli who drilled home for his second goal of the match.