Malta: A. Hogg, A. Muscat, C. Failla, A. Agius, J. Mifsud, J. Caruana, M. Bartolo (I. Zammit), P. Fenech, A. Schembri, C. Frendo (E. Agius), D. Falzon.

Georgia: N. Revishvili, G. Seturidze, D. Giguari, D. Medashvili, G. Popkhadze, J. Kankava, G. Gaungrava, G. Tchelidze (R. Getsadze), G. Pipia, O. Martsvaladze, N. Gelashvili (A. Benashvili).

Referee: A. McCourt (N. Ireland).

Asst refs: G. Flynn, D. Todd, 4th official: A. Black

Scorers: O. Martsvaladze 2,

Yellow cards: J. Kankava, D. Metashvili,

A late Dyson Falzon strike was not enough to save the day for an unrecognisable Malta side yesterday evening at Ta’ Qali.

After this first leg, Georgia seem to have already booked their place in the next round of the competition after they registered a 2-1 win, perhaps even more comfortable than the result shows.

It was a merited victory for the visitors who proved to have some young skilful players among their ranks. In simple terms, they were miles ahead of our youngsters who, quite unfortunately, failed to rise to the occasion.

It was a rather poor performance by the Maltese boys which I certainly cannot compare with those of recent encounters, especially those of the past two years.

For most of the time, they lacked any ideas as passes went astray and with the defenders more intent on booting the ball away rather than trying to create something. It was only after Falzon’s late strike that they showed some determination, though they never came close to scoring an equaliser.

In the first half, the visitors were dominant, especially in midfield and at the back.

Ganugrava, Kankava and Tchelidze dictated play in midfield as Malta struggled to move upfield. When they did, they found a tower of strength in Medashvili, who proved hard to beat.

Moreover, the Georgians also had in Martsvaladze a speedy and dangerous merchant in the front line, as he provided several anxious moments for the hesitant Maltese defence.

Malta rarely reached their opponents’ penalty area and both Andre Schembri and Cleaven Frendo found it rather difficult to create an opening.

After Georgia took the lead, the Maltese appeared to be demoralised and never really seemed able to get back into the match. It was not surprising that Georgia added a second before the interval.

On the changeover, the match followed more or less the same pattern with the Georgians remaining firmly in control with Martsveladze creating more anxious moments to the defence with his speed and dribbling.

The only chances for the Maltese came from set-pieces but Falzon’s goal near the end produced a more respectable scoreline though it did little to improve Malta’s chances of qualifying.

After a rather quiet start to the match, Georgia took the lead in their first real attack on Malta’s goal. Otar Martsvaladze received a cross from Tchelidze, went past two defenders and hit low past the helpless Hogg.

Malta replied on 22 minutes, but Cleaven Frendo’s dangerous cross was saved by the Georgian goalie before Falzon could intervene.

In the 35th minute, it was Pipia who went close to adding a second when he hit the side rigging from the angle after going past the onrushing Hogg.

The goal arrived on the 40th minute, and it was again Otar Martsvaladze who combined well with Pipia to hit home past Hogg.

Just before the interval whistle, Hogg was a protagonist with a double save, first on a shot from Pipia and then a header off Tchelidze’s rebound.

Malta appeared to be a little more aggressive in the second half and Dyson Falzon had a shot from a freekick going just over the bar on 60 minutes.

On 73 minutes, it was Hogg who denied Georgia a third goal blocking a close-range shot from Getsadze.

Malta obtained its consolation goal on the 81st minute. An Andre Schembri cross into the area saw Georgia’s goalie fumbling the ball and Falzon was on hand to slot the ball into the empty net.

A minute from full time, Falzon had another freekick going over the bar.