Malta was yesterday beaten 3-1 by Russia at Ta’ Qali in the opening qualifier of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, but the locals held their heads high after an impressive display against highly ranked opposition.

Malta confirmed that the positive displays in the Nations League were no fluke as yesterday Mangia’s boys shared the exchanges for long stretches with the more fancied Russians and could have snatched a deserved equaliser before suffering an undeserved third goal.

All the local players gave their best showing great confidence and good vision of play, but players like Teuma, Agius and Joseph Mbong were a span above the rest.

The result is surely hard to swallow for the locals, with goals that could have been avoided with more attention at the back.

Mangia fielded Agius, Borg and Shaw in defence with Camenzuli and Mbong on the flanks. Kristensen and Guillaumier were the central midfielders with Teuma and Degabriele supporting the more advanced Luke Montebello.

Malta had a very good start pressing high with Mbong and Camenzuli finding space for some dangerous runs. On 16 minutes the first attempt at goal with Mbong testing Shunin with a low drive.

On 23 minutes Russia broke the deadlock in their first decent move with captain Dzyuba slightly in an onside position beating Bonello with a low drive. This was a hard blow for the locals who did not deserve to go behind.

Two minutes later with the Maltese still under shock, a Golovin fierce drive was brilliantly saved by Bonello. On 32 minutes a Dzyuba header just missed the crossbar. The Maltese however continued with their positive approach.

On 35 minutes another blow for the Maltese with Dzyuba passing towards Fernandes on the right, with the latter drilling the ball home. Just before the break Golovin created havoc in the Malta defence but Steve Borg cleared the danger.

Mangia made two changes at the start of the second half with Paul Mbong and Satariano were introduced instead of Degabriele and Montebello. On 56 minutes Malta pulled on back with a great goal scored by Joseph Mbong who with a rising shot from an angle fired in the roof of the net.

Malta continued to attack and Teddy Teuma tested Shunin with a low drive.

On 66 minutes Goloving shot well over the bar. Sixty seconds later as the Russians increased the pressure, Hanry Bonello committed a rae mistake, but luckily the Russians failed to take advantage.

On 69 minutes a good Malta move with Teuma’s drive inches wide. Malta continued to show the better ideas keeping long possession of the ball but could not find a way past the Russian rearguard.

With the Maltese pushing forward desperately for the equaliser, the Russians put the match to bed with a third goal on 90 minutes, a goal scored by substitute Sobolev.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina