Malta were on the receiving end once again yesterday in Reykjavik as Iceland emerged easy 4-1 winners from the bottom of the Group 8 table clash.

The result means that Malta has been left alone at the bottom of the standings with Iceland moving on the four-point mark, three ahead of Malta, which languishes at the bottom with only one point after having played seven matches.

National coach Horst Heese had hoped that Malta would repeat the 0-0 draw in Malta last October, but after a good start, the Maltese suffered a 27th minute goal from Thorvaldsson and from then on, Iceland took complete command adding a second on 34 minutes through Chelsea’s star striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Brian Said pulled one back for Malta on 59 minutes, but Iceland were not to be denied.

They again re-established their two-goal lead on the 75th minute as Gudmundsson scored the third goal and Gunnarsson added the fourth and final goal with four minutes to go.

Malta: R. Gauci, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, R. Briffa, L. Dimech, G. Agius, C. Mattocks (A. Cohen), M. Mifsud, K. Sammut, G. Mallia, B. Said. Subs: J. Haber, J. Chetcuti, S. Giglio, A. Cohen, J. Bondin, M. Grima, J. Pace