The Malta U-20 side under the charge of Mark Miller yesterday opened its commitments in the Viseu international tournament suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to The Ukraine.

The strong Ukraine side (which finished third in last year's UEFA Under-19 championship) scored a solitary goal in the 55th minute to earn a place in next Thursday's final.

The young Maltese, who were more than a year younger than their Urkraine counterparts, played a very good tactical match. They also had their ample share of chances including a fine strike by defender Edmond Agius which hit the post.

The Ukrainians played the last half-hour with ten men when the referee sent a player off for a foul.

Mark Miller's side had a golden opportunity to equalise in the dying seconds when they were awarded a penalty after striker Dyson Falzon was fouled in the box but skipper Andre Agius's penalty kick was ably saved by the Ukrainian custodian.

Malta will play either Poland or Portugal in the match for third or fourth place tomorrow.