Malta suffered a narrow defeat against Croatia yesterday at the Hibs Ground Kordin in a match for the European Nations Cup qualifications and for the World Cup 2011 qualifiers.

Malta was winning till the final seconds of the match but a penalty score by Croatia in stoppage time shifted the tide the Croats’ way. However Malta had a brilliant display against Croatia who occupy 44th place in the rankings compared to Malta’s 56th place.

Chris Diamantino and Matthew Mirabelli made a welcome return to the Malta side, whilst Jerrod Sammut was making his debut for Malta.

The match kicked off with both sides missing a penalty in the opening ten minutes, with newcomer Sammut missing for Malta. On 15 minutes Croatia broke the deadlock opening a seven-point lead with a try and conversion by Lorett.

Malta had a chance on 27 minutes but Sammut missed his second penalty, but Sanmmut was third time lucky when he converted on 35 minutes to make it 3-7.

Three minutes later Sammut started off the move towards Mirabelli who gave to Lee Culnane who made the try, with Sammut converting to put Malta 10-7 in front at half time.

On the resumption Croatia made it 10-10 when Holgevac converted a penalty. Croatia regained the lead thanks to a try, which they failed to convert to make it 10-15.

On 22 minutes Jerrod Sammut scored a penalty to make it 13-15, with the Croats missing another penalty on the half hour. On 42 minutes Malta’s Jerrod Sammut converted a penalty to make it 16-15 for Malta as the locals looked set for an important and dramatic victory.

But it was not to be as Croatia scored a penalty on 46 minutes to dash Malta’s hopes of victory.