Playing at home after last Friday’s defeat against Romania, the Malta Under 21 side, yesterday clinched their first win in Group 10 of the UEFA U-21 Championships, beating Bosnia Herzegovina 2-1 at the Hibs ground Kordin.

It was a well deserved win for the locals, rewarding their collective effort. In the absence of Andre Agius and Ian Zammit, Miller gave a start to Edmond Agius and Steve Meilak.

Malta fell behind to an early Bosnia goal after only eight minutes. When keeper Woods failed to hold a Jelic free kick, Eldin Adilovic picked the rebound and netted to put his side ahead.

The Maltese were not demoralised though and on the quarter hour they drew level in almost identical fashion. The Bosnia defence failed to clear a Failla free kick and Ryan Fenech was quick to beat keeper Buric from close range.

The match remained evenly balanced in the second period with both sides creating some good scoring opportunities until Malta forged ahead past the hour when Meilak capitalised on a bad back pass and passed the ball towards Matthew Bartolo who hit home.

Bosnia were denied a claim for a penalty after Failla fouled Adilovic inside the area. But before the game was over Malta could have also increased their lead only for Ryan Fenech’s powerful drive to be repelled by the Bosnia goalkeeper.

Malta: L.Woods, E. Herrera, C. Failla, J.Caruana, T. Farrugia, P. Fenech, M. Bartolo (S. Borg), E. Agius, S. Meilaq (R. Camilleri), R. Fenech, D. Falzon.

Bosnia Herzegovina: J. Buric, B. Pandza (A.Likic), V. Benovic, I. Ristanic, K. Cejvanovic, P. Papaz, F. Salcinovic (S. Huseinovic), V. Zadro (E. Kasapovic), E. Adilovic, P.Jelic, S. Stilic.

Referee: Csaba Sapi (Hungary)