Israel exploit Malta's second-half decline

Israel 3
Malta 0

Not for the first time, Malta's inability to finish off their chances proved to be a serious undoing as Israel struck two quick goals early in the second half to turn the tables on the red-shirted players who had been the brighter team before the change of ends.

Yesterday's match at the dilapidated Ataturk Stadium - virtually empty but for a group of anti-riot police officers and a host of officials representing the two federations - was Malta's last in this UEFA U-21 qualifying campaign.

Bidding farewell to their U-21 careers were seven players in Mark Miller's squad, namely Justin Haber, Kurt Farrugia, Clifton Ciantar, Roderick Briffa, Ian Azzopardi, Kevin Sammut and Antoine Zahra.

These players, particularly Zahra and Sammut, were very much at the heart of Malta's best moves in the first half but their momentum ground to a halt after the interval in the face of Israel's direct football, typified by their vintage skipper Reoven Oved who was the catalyst behind his team's 3-0 success.

Israel's second-half ascendancy exposed Malta's physical, tactical and psychological frailties as Miller's team ended their trek with one point, a goalless home draw against Slovenia but without a single goal in eight matches. Certainly, an unpleasant statistic for any football team.

Three minutes into the game, Omer Galen capitalised on some sloppy defending by Malta as he picked his way past every attempt to tackle him but skied his shot high from point blank range.

Having weathered Israel's early surge, Malta came more into the picture as the first half gained momentum and should have taken the lead after 15 minutes.

Zahra used his pace and dexterity to power his way past a clutch of defenders before freeing Trevor Cilia with an intelligent pass. The Floriana striker struck the ball low past Israel goalkeeper Gal Nir Hofi but his effort whistled just inches wide of the far post.

Deriving courage and confidence from Zahra's dangerous incursions and the no nonsense movement of Sammut, Malta continued to trouble their opponents with effective counter-thrusts. Once, Sammut made headway down the right before crossing the ball towards the centre where the Israeli goalkeeper could only touch the ball away.

Zahra was on hand to retrieve possession and delivered a perfect return pass to Sammut whose volley ended wide.

Ten minutes from half-time, Tamir Cohen created space to fire a shot at goal but his effort was deflected for a corner.

At the other end, Sammut supplied another fine pass to the advancing Sciberras but Nir Hofi charged out of position to block him.

Malta's sprightly performance in the opening 45 minutes will have lifted their spirits of ending the qualifying phase with a good result but it was not to be as their downfall in the last 40 minutes was as remarkable as their positive first-half showing.

Four minutes into the second half, Zahra struck an exquisite lob from outside the penalty area, forcing the Israel goalkeeper to tip the ball over the bar in extremis.

Malta's good work was put to waste when Israel took the lead against the run of play 11 minutes after the change of ends.

Skipper Oved was allowed time and space to enter the box before setting up Tamir Cohen, son of former Liverpool player Avi, who rifled the ball past Haber.

When, after 63 minutes, Malta sweeper Roderick Briffa was caught in possession by Yossi Shivhon deep into his team's half, danger loomed for Miller's men. Shivhon was quick to centre despite Briffa's desperate attempts to block, the ball was driven towards Omer Golan who drilled a low shot past Haber from an angled position.

Miller's response here was to rope in Shawn Bajada in lieu of defender Shaun Tellus.

The force was now with Israel who may have increased their lead but for the post which denied Maccabi Tel Aviv talent Oved.

Showing none of the cohesion they had in the first half, Malta were now toiling to get the ball forward as Israel assumed full control.

Malta survived another scare 11 minutes from time when Oved's lob from the distance soared above Haber but hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the goal-line.

Haber saved a dangerous shot from Naftali Vermouth but was then beaten by the precocious Oved who finally hit the jackpot with an easy tap-in three minutes from the end of normal time to crown a masterful display.

Israel: G. Nir Hofi, E. Azaria, Y. Nagar, G. Cohen, D. Yifrah, R. Gazal (N. Vermouth 53), S. Abutbul, T. Cohen, O. Golan, R. Oved, Y. Shivhon (E. Barda 88).

Malta: J. Haber, K. Farrugia, C. Ciantar, R. Briffa, I. Azzopardi, S. Tellus (S. Bajada 65), K. Sammut, T. Cilia, A. Zahra (A. Sacco 89), G. Sciberras, R. Bajada.

Referee: Sergey Shmolik (Belarus).

Scorers: T. Cohen 56; Golan 63; Oved 87.

Yellow Cards: G. Cohen; Sciberras; Briffa; Farrugia.