Malta       0
Sweden   4

Malta: H. Bonello, A. Agius, J. Mbong, K. Nwoko, R. Muscat (P. Fenech 69), D. Vella, K. Shaw, A. Effiong (M. Mifsud 75), J. Zerafa, L. Gambin, Z. Muscat (J. Caruana 67)

Sweden: R. Olsen, M. Lustig, A. Granqvist, P. Bengtsson, S. Larsson, A. Ekdal (G. Svensson 63), M. Berg (S. Andersson 79), E. Forsberg, M Danielson, K. Olsson, R. Quaison (A. Isak 72)

Referee:  S. Ivanov (Russia)

Asst refs: R. Usachev, V. Danchenko (Russia)

4^th official: S. Lapochkin

Scorers: M. Danielson 11, S. Larsson pen 58, 70 pen., A. Agius og 66

Yellow cards: K. Shaw 39, Z. Muscat 47, J. Mbong 57, R. Quaison 63

Attendance: 10,702

Malta suffered its sixth defeat in seven qualifiers yesterday as it went down to Sweden 4-0.

Marcus Danielsson gave Sweden the lead on 11 minutes. Second half strikes from Sebastian Larsson (two penalties) and an own goal from Andrei Agius confirmed Sweden's undoubted superiority.

Ray Farrugia's boys had a good first half, but in the second, they were no match for the strong Sweden side which has moved a step closer to qualification from this Group F.

The Swedes remain second placed on 14 points, behind Group leaders Spain with Romania third on 13 points - yesterday they beat the Faroe Islands 3-0 in Torshaven.

On the other hand, Malta remain in 5^th place on 3 points, above the Faroe Islands, who are at the bottom with no points.

It was the 13^th meeting between Malta and Sweden. Unfortunately, it was the 13^th win for Sweden.

As was widely expected, the Swedes dominated and it was clear right from the start that their main target was the collection of the three points.

The Maltese were forced to defend for long stretches and found it difficult to move forward as the Swedes roamed all over the field with great confidence.

Farrugia gave a debut to Sliema's Kurt Shaw. He was the only newcomer in his starting line-up yesterday, although players like Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ferdinando Apap, Paul Fenech, Jake Grech and veteran Michael Mifsud were rested ahead of next Tuesday's vital clash against the Faroe Islands in Torshaven.

The Swedes dominated the first half almost completely taking control of midfield right from the very first whistle.

After opening the score on 11 minutes, I thought we were in for a bashing, but the Maltese defended bravely and managed to keep their opponents at bay, suffering no further goals till the interval with goalie Henry Bonello outstanding with two splendid saves.

What was avoided in the first half arrived in the second as the Swedes confirmed their strength, scoring three goals (two of them penalties) without reply.

The Swedes were simply a superior side in the second half. Not only did they score three goals but they also missed a number of chances apart from Henry Bonello's good saves.

 

 

 

 

Sweden attacked en masse in the early stages but it was Malta who threatened on 5 minutes when a Joseph Mbong cross in the heart of the Swedish area did not find a Maltese striker ready to have a pot at goal.

Sweden took the lead on the 11^th minute. From a corner from the right, it was Marcus Danielson who beat Bonello from close range.

The visitors continued to apply pressure on the Malta fort and in the 20^th minute, they earned a freekick, but Emil Forsberg hit his shot well over the bar.

In the 33^rd minute, Quaison tested Bonello with a low shot. The Malta goalie parried but could not hold, but there was Mbong to clear the ball away. Moments later, Bonello covered himself with glory as he dived sideways to save a Sebastian Larsson freekick.

Five minutes later, an Olsson cross found Marcus Berg unmarked in the area, but the latter's header was easy prey for Bonello.

Just before the interval, Malta pushed forward and obtained two corners. The first one resulted from a Luke Gambin shot which was deviated by a Swedish defender. From the second one, the ball was cleared out to Rowen Muscat, whose shot was well saved by giant Swedish goalie Robin Olsen.

At the start of the second half, Larsson had a second freekick going over the bar. Soon after, Bonello was called into action, turning a low Pierre Bengtsson shot to corner.

In the 58^th minute, Sweden were awarded a penalty when Mbong held Granqvist in the area. From the spotkick, Sebastian Larsson sent Bonello the wrong way to put Sweden 2-0 ahead.

Malta almost pulled one back immediately after. From a Joseph Mbong cross, Alfred Effiong saw his effort just miss the target.

It was 3-0 on the 66^th minute as a low cross from Robin Quaison saw captain Andrei Agius unluckily hitting into his own net.

Paul Fenech had been on the pitch only a few seconds when he received the ball and fired a fine rising shot from around 20 metres that just missed the target.

Sweden were awarded a second penalty on 70 minutes when substitute Jonathan Caruana fouled Quaison in the area. From the spotkick, Sebastian Larsson again made no mistake to put Sweden 4-0 ahead.

In the 73^rd minute, it was substitute Isak who went close with a fine dipper which went just over. The Swedish substitute confirmed his talent twice soon after, first providing Forsberg with a good chance to hit home - he fired just wide. Then he had a good effort splendidly saved by Bonello.