Latvia 2
Malta 0
Malta went down against Latvia in Riga yesterday, with a goal in each half, in their penultimate Euro 2012 qualifying match from Group F.
While Latvia deserved their lead in a good first half and could have even scored another, when denied by the cross bar, for all their superiority, Malta did not deserve to concede the second after showing considerable improvement in the second half and were themselves denied by the post from a Failla free kick.
Malta lacked incisive movement among themselves during the first 45 minutes, but then jerked into shape after the interval, although they could not avoid defeat.
With Jonathan Caruana, Daniel Bogdanovic and Michael Mifsud among the notable absentees, coach John Buttigieg had to reshuffle the Malta line-up. Valletta’s Steve Borg was given his international debut as he partnered Andrei Agius in central defence, with captain of the day, Roderick Briffa playing as right back and Clayton Failla on the left.
Andre Schembri was Malta’s most advanced player but was often starved of service as Malta only managed one shot on target in the first half and that came after 36 minutes from a central direct free kick from Clayton Failla.
Latvia pinned Malta inside their own half for long stretches and were always dangerous from the flanks as Jamie Pace and Gareth Sciberras tried to gprovide defensive cover through the middle.
Although hardly penetrative, Rudnevs had a shot slightly going over for Latvia and on the quarter hour, Laizans went inside the area from the left but was blocked into a corner from near the byeline.
On 33 minutes, Latvia broke down Malta’s jittery defence with another incursion from Verpakovskis on the right. Aleksejs Visnakovs was allowed too much room by Sciberras and he easily beat keeper Hogg with a diagonal strike.
Latvia kept up the pressure as Malta was giving away possession too cheaply, especially in midfield, and our opponents always tried to capitalize. Agius was good to clear Caruna’s low cross before Rudnevs could connect and Klava missed the target with a free header following a corner kick.
Malta escaped further derision just before the break. Verpakovskis clipped the bar with a left foot effort from the right as Hogg was stranded.
However Malta looked a transformed side after the interval and managed to hold more to possession, carving out good opportunities in the process.
They were unlucky to be denied an equalizer towards the hour. From a Cohen corner, Failla’s powerful shot from outside the Latvia area hit the foot of the right post, the ball rolled against the innerside of the opposite post without crossing the line before it was cleared into a corner.
The Latvia keeper Vanins was surely a busier man in this half as he palmed out a Failla effort on 63 minutes.
Latvia, although more cautious, still pressed forward for the assuring goal. Lukjanovs headed towards goal with good elevation from a corner, but keeper Hogg tipped the ball over into a corner.
On 80 minutes, Hogg could hold out Verpakovski’s effort as Malta effected three substitutions in the last 20 minutes and kept probing for an equalizer.
But, as often happens, Malta’s lack of concentration was punished with a second goal seven minutes from time. Visnakovs’ cross from the right fell between two Maltese defenders and as the ball rolled into the path of Artjoms Rudnevs, he knocked it in a rather fortuitous manner.
It was a harsh blow for Malta who however finished on the attack, with Cohen’s meaty free kick fisted out by the Latvia keeper.
Latvia: A. Vanins, O. Klava, P. Mihadjuks, O. Laizans (R. Rugins), D. Ivanovs, A. Visnakovs, A. Cauna, M. Verpakovskis (A. Rubins), I. Lukjanovs, K. Gorkss, A. Rudnevs (E. Gauracs)
Malta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, G. Sciberras (P. Fenech), A. Agius, R. Fenech (C. Mamo), C. Failla, R. Briffa, A. Cohen, J. Hutchinson, A. Schembri, J. Pace ( I. Woods)
Referee:R. Trutz (Slovakia)
Scorers: A. Visnakovs 33, A. Rudnevs 83
Yellow cards: A. Cohen, C. Failla, D. Ivanovs, K. Gorkss, A. Agius