Malta was no match for the superior Turkish side in yesterday’s classification game. The Turks demonstrated more technical and physical acumen and were never in danger after forging 2-1 in the lead midway in the first session.

One cannot, however, criticise much the Maltese lads as they are playing in a level that is a step too high for them. Anthony Farrugia’s squad is doing its utmost to finally get a satisfactory result and hopefully this could be achieved today when they play at 10.15am against Slovenia.

Coming back to yesterday’s match, Turkey got off to a flying start as Ugur Asi scored (his first of a personal nap-hand of goals)after just 24 seconds. Malta managed to equalise two minutes later through a Ryan Mock strike and this score was held for 80 seconds until Cem Carak restored Turkey’s lead which was extended to 4-1 until the end of the first session.

Turkey scored two early man-up goals (on a Lubrano and an Agius exclusion respectively) in the second session untilo midway in the session, Sirens’ player Ryam Mock, from the left, scored on a Yaman exclusion for an 8-2 score.

One could see that the Turks augmented their play and pressure and this led to an impressive 13-0 run scoring six times on a man-up advantage (Turkey had a good 80 per cent score rate on a total of 10 man-ups whilst Malta had a goal on 7 exclusions) and netting also two penalties.

Malta managed to score a late consolation goal when two seconds from the end, the Turkish custodian Gungag committed a penalty which was duly converted by Jerome Gabaretta.

Malta: J. Sammut, J. Spiteri Staines, M. Manara, J. Gabaretta 1, T. Agius, R. Mock 2, N. Lubrano, K. Griscti, A. Agius, J. Camilleri, P. Borg, M. Pace, A. Borg Cole.

Turkey: B. Gungag, C. Gozusulu 1, O. Yaman 2, U. Asi 5, D. Balta 3, A. Akyar 2, U. Piskin2, A. Catanlar 2, C. Carak 2, M. Elveren 2, A. Yilmaz, A. Cagatay, M. Kumcu.

Refs: Kouretas (Greece), Klopper (Holland)