alta: J. Haber, I. Azzopardi, B. Said, R. Briffa, K. Scicluna, G. Agius, M. Mifsud, G. Mallia (E. Barbara), A. Schembri (D. Bogdanovic), K. Sammut, J. Pace.

Greece: K. Chalkias, T. Dellas (G. Anatolakis), V. Torosidis, L. Vyntra, S. Kyrgiakos, M. Kapsis, A. Basinas, G. Karagounis, K. Katsouranis, T. Grekas (G. Samaras, D. Salpingidis (N. Lymperopoulos).

Referee: O. Alves Garcia (Portugal).

Asst refs: JL Liberio Paul, G. Bolinhas Trigo; 4th official: N. Moreira De Souse

Scorer: A. Basinas pen.

Yellow cards: D. Salpingidis, R. Briffa, I. Azzopardi, K. Katsouranis

Red card: R. Briffa

A controversial penalty award after 64 minutes paved the way for European Champions Greece to score a narrow win over Malta yesterday at Ta’ Qali.

Even if the Greeks richly deserved their victory for their all-round superiority, it was a real pity that Malta had to bow out to a disputed penalty against such reputed opposition.

The award led to the conversion from the spot by Basinas which, at the end, proved to be the winner. Moments earlier, Malta protested for a penalty when Schembri appeared to have been pushed in the area, but to no avail, as were their hot protests on the occasion of the award in favour of the Greeks.

The Greeks thus secured three points to get back into contention after their humiliating defeat against Turkey at home last Saturday.

Ivan Woods did not make it to the starting line-up and Kevin Sammut took his place on the right flank. As expected, Kenneth Scicluna took the suspended Dimech’s place in the heart of the defence, while Ian Azzopardi was on the left.

In the first half, Malta was forced to defend for long stretches as Greece attacked continuously in search of an elusive goal which would have given them more confidence.

However, the Malta defence never yielded an inch and with Haber, Said and Scicluna in inspiring form, it was only from the crosses that Greece produced some dangerous moments. In fact, Malta suffered mostly on the flanks where Roderick Briffa and Ian Azzopardi had a lot of difficulty against speedy opponents.

Up front, Michael Mifsud and Andre Scerri rarely managed to get past a strong defence. But in all fairness, it must be said they were also poorly served with long and inaccurate balls upfield.

The Greeks controlled midfield with Basinas and Karagounis well in command as Agius and Pace failed to get to terms with them.

In the second half, the Greeks maintained their supremacy and pinned Malta in their half for most of the time.

The Maltese had a brief moment when it appeared we could also scored a shock goal, but then came the controversial penalty award and with our side reduced to 10 men due to Briffa’s dismissal, the match was as good as over.

The Greeks controlled and could have scored other goals but Haber kept them at bay with some good interceptions and saves.

At the end even the Malta boys deserved the all-round applause of those present at Ta’ Qali.

The match attracted one of the biggest crowds in recent years to Ta’ Qali. There must have been around 10,000 persons inside the stadium.

Greece quickly showed their intentions as after just 30 seconds, Karagounis had an attempt going wide.

On the fifth minute, after a shot by Katsouranis was blocked by Said, Haber had to dive at the feet of Grekas to avoid an awkward situation.

On 16 minutes, Dellas had a header going wide.

On 31 minutes came Malta’s first really dangerous attack, when off a clearance from the defence, a great shot from Gilbert Agius was luckily blocked by Dellas on its way to goal.

Greece pressed hard to get a goal and had two consecutive corners which, however, were dealt with quite well by the Maltese defence.

On 36 minutes, it was George Mallia who denied the Greeks, clearing from over the line a header by Grekas after a Basinas corner-kick.

Just before the interval, Haber covered himself with glory as he dived sideways to turn to corner a Grekas dangerous header.

When the referee’s whistle went, it was still goalless.

Soon after the start of the second half, Basinas set Salpingidis perfectly, but Haber brought off an excellent save.

On the 57th minute, Gilbert Agius had a powerful long distance shot going wide.

Three minutes later, with our defence at sixes and sevens, Haber again came to the rescue as he saved a Basinas effort.

On 62 minutes, Malta was close to scoring. Andre Schembri received a good cross from Mallia, but when on the point of shooting, he appeared to have been pushed. But the referee saw nothing untoward and waved play on.

On 64 minutes, Greece opened the scoring through a controversial penalty award. The referee deemed that Briffa had floored Grekas in the area. Despite the hot protests from the Maltese, Briffa received his second yellow card and was therefore sent off. From the spot-kick, captain Basinas sent Haber in the wrong direction.

On 75 minutes, it was substitute Lymperopoulos who had an attempt turned to corner by the agile Haber. Four minutes later, Grerkas hit the upright with a header while Haber turned Karagounis’ rebound to a corner.

With less than a minute to go, Greece missed a glorious opportunity to secure the result through Lymperopoulos. Set beautifully by Basinas, he beat the offside trap but with only Haber to beat, he lifted the ball over the post.