Malta 0

Turkey 1

Malta: R. Gauci, A. Muscat, S. Bajada, S. Tellus (J. Mifsud), R. Mintoff, G. Sciberras, T. Cilia, R. Bajada (P. Fenech), A. Schembri, C. Frendo (T. Scerri), A. Agius (D. Falzon).

Turkey: K. Serkan (K. Bekir), K. Serdar, T. Ergun (O. Kemal), O. Murat, C. Yasin (I. Selcuk), S. Zafer (T. Ozan), Y. Burak, G. Gurhan, G. Gokhan (T. sinan), A. Olcan (P. Ilhan), O. Ali.

Referee: J. Attard.

Asst refs: C. Micallef, J. Camilleri.

4th official: P. Caruana.

Scorer: A. Ozturk.

Malta failed to maintain its recent positive run yesterday at Ta’ Qali as Turkey emerged winners comfortably, more than the score suggests.

It was a merited victory for a superior Turkish side which showed better technical qualities, especially in midfield, through Zafer, Burak, Gurhan and Olcan.

The Turks dominated for long stretches and the Maltese could only operate on the break.

However, the Maltese youngsters also had their good moment, especially in the first half, when Cleaven Frendo was also unlucky to hit the crossbar after a fine move.

But on the whole, the performance fell far below recent levels as the Turks were totally in control.

At the start, Turkey had a goal disallowed after Gokhan was judged to have fouled goalie Gauci who had fumbled the ball from a cross.

On 21 minutes, we had the first noteworthy actions. It was Turkey who went close first through a fine rising shot from Ali Ozturk which just missed the target. At the other end, Cleaven Frendo lobbed over the onrushing goalie only to see his effort hitting the crossbar.

Malta had a Cleaven Frendo freekick going over on the 36th minute and four minutes later, it was Shaun Bajada who tested Serkan seriously with a low freekick, but the Turkish goalie turned to corner.

Turkey opened the scoring on 50 minutes when substitute Selcuk Inan set Ali Ozturk who outsped the Malta defence to beat Gauci with a shot from the edge of the area.

Six minutes later, it was almost 2-0, but a Burak excellent freekick hit the crossbar with Gauci beaten.

Gauci was then called upon to effect a save off substitute Sinan.

Till the end, Turkey contained Malta’s feeble efforts easily.