Malta 1

Hungary 3

Malta yesterday failed to keep its early promise as Ray Farrugia’s side went down 3-1 to their Hungarian counterparts.

The Maltese, in fact, had a good start taking an early lead, but then faded away as the Magyars took over the midfield sector.

They also made the most of one big advantage – the towering striker Futacs. He scored the two goals which overturned the deficit into a 2-1 half-time lead for the visitors. He deserved to be rested for the second half.

The Hungarians enjoyed territorial superiority as Malta often lost the ball through bad clearances from the back.

In the second half, the pattern did not change much. Hungary still held the upper hand and Malta was never given a proper chance to have a pot at goal.

Despite the good number of substitutions, there was little improvement in our youngsters’ performance as the Magyars easily contained their efforts from the back.

Swifter on the ball and better gifted technically, the Hungarians went on to add a third goal near the end for a deserved win.

Malta could not have had a better start as they took the lead on the opening minute. From a Steve Pisani cross, Yessous Camilleri, alone in front of Gulacsi, made no mistake.

Malta threatened again on 16 minutes when a Rowen Muscat freekick went just wide.

Hungary levelled matters on the 29th minute when off a Bodi cross, Marko Futacs had all the time at his mercy to breast the ball down and hit home past a helpless Sultana.

A few minutes later, it was Daren Falzon who cleared the ball in extremis before Iszlai could connect to a dangerous pass from Kovacs.

Hungary took the lead on the 37th minute. Substitute Beliczky did all the spadework on the right before crossing low for Futacs to hit home from close in.

Malta replied three minutes later through a Falzon effort, but his weak shot was easy prey for the Hungarian goalie.

In the second half, the Hungarians again enjoyed territorial superiority, but threatened once through Beliczky who advanced on the flank only for Malta’s substitute goalie Parnis blocking his angled effort.

Twelve minutes from time, it was Parnis who saved an awkward situation when he rushed out of goal to block a Tischler incursion which had GOAL written all over it.

The goal arrived on the 85th minute when Bence Lazar received a good pass from Tischler and beat Parnis for the third time.

Malta: S. Sultana (S. Sultana), L. Martinelli, Z. Muscat, R. Muscat (M. Ciantar), JP Farrugia, D. Falzon (J. Bajada), Y. Camilleri, C. Borg (S. Grech), M. Gauci (I. Grech), T. Caruana (R. Scicluna), S. Pisani (T. Vella).

Hungary: P. Gulacsi (B. Megyeri), D. Kalnoki-Kis, R. Litauszki (F. Fodor), G. Yanaki, A. Bodi (B. Balazs), I. Kovacs (B. Lazar), M. Futacs (P. Tischler), A. Gosztonyi (G. Beliczky), A. Simon, A. Fiola, B. Iszlai.

Referee: A. Mario Sant

Asst refs: E. Spiteri, M. Scerri.

4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: Y. Camilleri 1, M. Futacs 29, 37, B. Lazar 85

Yellow cards: B. Iszlai, T. Vella, M. Ciantar