A very good display by the boys in red was still not enough to give Malta a point in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers. A point which would have been a deserved reward for Malta who was under the guidance of De Leo for the very first time.

Malta succumbed gallantly after suffering a goal seven minutes from the break. Malta dominated for long stretches of the game, especially in the second half, but failed to score even though having some very good scoring opportunities.

De Leo first formation included the latest two foreign imports with both James Carragher and Ilyas Chouaref making their debut. Malta started in a classic 4‐4‐2 formation with Carragher and Shaw central defenders, with Zach Muscat and Camenzuli on the flanks.

Captain Guillaumier, Theuma, Joseph Mbong and Satariano formed the midfield quartet behind Paul Mbong and Chouaref.

Inside the first minute Bonello had to dive to save a Kallman effort from the edge of the area. On eight minutes Malta's first opportunity with Joseph Mbong receiving from Theuma but his shot from an ideal but angled position went wide.

Seconds later on the other end Bonello saved an Alho effort. On 12 minutes Satariano had an incredible run from his own penalty area and was only denied by a brilliant Hradecky save. Three minutes later Hradecky blocked a Paul Mbong central drive.

On 27 minutes a massive melee in front of the Finnish goal following a corner action, but the ball just could not get in. On 31 minutes Finland missed a glori‐ ous opportunity when Pohjan‐ palo's point blank header was brilliantly saved by Bonello and from the rebound Kallman blasted incredibly high.

Some minutes later Alho's cross from the right found Pohjanpalo who anticipated Bonello but his header went high. On 38 minutes Finland broke the deadlock when Bonello saved Kallman's effort but Antman was on hand to fire home the rebound.

The second half started with a Chouaref cross shot with Joseph Mbong just failing to connect. Malta continued to attack pushing the Finnish inside their own half.

De Leo made the first changes on 70 minutes introducing Tuma and Nwoko to give more punch. On 73 minutes Joseph Mbong connected to a Chouaref cross but his shot from close range went over the bar.

Two minutes later Nwoko's shot just missed the base of the upright.

Twelve minutes from time Kurt Shaw was shown a straight red for a tackle on Kairinen.

Gallantly Malta continued to attack even with a man less but the locals were now running out of fuel and out of ideas.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina