Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar, M. Grima, B. Nisevic, R. Forace, J. Bondin (S. Grima), K. Fenech, M. Penchev, C. Camilleri (A. Debono), I. Zammit, M. Galea.

Buducnost: M. Vujadinovic, R. Laric, P. Vurcevic (M. Lakic), G. Perisic, I. Carapic, M. Raicevic, H. Vujovic, N. Sofrahac (G. Burzanovic), R. Sekulic, M. Mugosa, B. Popovic (Djordjevic).

Referee: B. Lawlor (Wales).

Asst refs: M. Williams, M. Jones.

Scorers: Vujovic 2, Sekulic 3,

Yellow cards: Sekulic, K. Cassar

Valletta found out what a big difference exists between Maltese and Serbian football yesterday as they were completely outclassed by a stronger and much better technically equipped side.

Those who said Valletta stood a good chance of qualifying and meeting Spain’s Deportivo La Coruna in the second round, were obviously proved wrong. They either were just saying so to get as much fans as possible to the Hibs Ground, or else had no idea about Buducnost’s strength.

In any case, Valletta’s dream had already vanished by the 30th minute when the visitors were already three goals up. In the second half they added a further two goals and missed other easy chances.

It was evident early in the match that the Serbians were miles ahead of Valletta who were also depleted through the absence of their star striker Gilbert Agius, who was suspended.

In the second half, Buducnost relaxed a little and gave Valletta more space. However, they remained a superior outfit and only carelessness on their part prevented them from adding more goals to their tally.

Yet, Valletta could have opened the scoring in the first minute when off a Galea cross, the ball was cleared out to Jonathan Bondin who, however, hit wide of the target.

On eight minutes, it was Buducnost who opened the scoring in their first real attack. Sofrahac provided the assist for Vujovic to advance on the left and beat Sullivan with a low shot.

On 15 minutes, it was 2-0. Sofrahac advanced on the right flank to cross low into the City area. Sekulic controlled the ball well, gave the dummy to his direct opponent and placed the ball wide of Sullivan.

As the Serbian side continued to dominate, it was Camilleri who avoided an awkward situation for Valletta as he cleared to corner after Mugosa had weaved his way through the City defence.

Buducnost added a third goal on 30 minutes in a fast counter-attack. It was Sekulic who advanced from midfield and squared the ball for Vujovic to beat Sullivan with great ease.

Valletta had another chance on 40 minutes when off a Forace cross, the ball was cleared out to Ian Zammit whose central shot was saved by the goalie.

Just before the interval, Vurcevic put Sekulic through, but with only Sullivan to beat, he incredibly hit wide. Moments later, in added injury time, it was Sofrahac who advanced unhindered only to see his effort hitting the upright.

In the 55th minute on a lapse by the Buducnost defence, especially the goalie, Galea was ruled offside by the assistant referee, although he also failed to hit the ball into the net with an untenanted net.

Soon after, substitute Anatole Debono had a low shot turned to corner by Vujadinovic. Five minutes later, Nisevic had a good header going over. And from a Cassar cross, Zammit’s neat header put Debono in an ideal scoring position but his low shot hit the side rigging.

What Valletta failed to do, the Serbians did immediately afterwards at the other end. Sekulic was put through and he made no mistake with only Sullivan to beat.

Buducnost scored the fifth goal on 74 minutes. It was Sekulic who obtained his hat-trick at his second attempt after a first header had hit the post.

Buducnost had Mugosa injured and could not be substituted therefore playing the last 13 matches in 10 men. But they still persisted in attack with Raicevic testing Sullivan seriously on 87 minutes. The City goalie responded with a super save to corner.

Valletta now only hope to avoid another humiliation in the second leg next Saturday in Podgorica.