Malta lost by a solitary goal against Slovenia in Ljubljana with the goal that decided the match coming from a dubious penalty two minutes from the end of the first half.
It was a match in which Malta were never outclassed and had their moments venturing forward occasionally.
High spirits prevailed in the Malta camp following their impressive 3-0 win over Cyprus at the National Stadium, a win which lifted the team on four points level with the same Slovenians.
Coach Devis Mangia made five changes from the team that started the match against Cyprus last Wednesday. In came Corbalan, Satariano, Dimech, Muscat and Caruana instead of Camenzuli, Montebello, Pisani, Borg and Paul Mbong.
Slovenia held the initiative in the initial stages but were never of a threat for the Maltese rearguard. In fact the first shot on goal came from Malta just past the half hour through a Joseph Mbong long range shot which Oblak fumbled but saved on the line.
A minute from the end of the first half Pepe was adjudged in bringing down Mevlja in the area, indeed a very harsh decision. From the penalty spot Sandi Lovric converted in style.
The first part of the second half saw Slovenia press Malta but never set any bushes on fire. In the 52nd minute Bohar tested Bonello who responded with a good save. But it was Malta who went near to scoring on 65 minutes when Montebello who had come on as substitute instead of Satariano found the net after being set up by Paul Mbong but the goal was annulled since the latter was in an offside position.
Three minutes from time Slovenia were awarded another penalty when Cain Attard brought down Zajc in the area but from the spot Bonello saved on Andras Sporar. Till the end Malta tried to save the game but their efforts proved futile.
Malta will now travel to Moscow when on Tuesday they have another difficult match against Russia.
MALTA: H. Bonello, K. Shaw, J. Mbong (L. Gambin), E. Pepe, J. Corbalan (R. Camenzuli), T. Teuma, C. Attard, A. Satariano (L. Montebello), S. Dimech (P.Mbong), Z. Muscat, T. Caruana (S. Pisani)
Photo Domenic Aquilina