Sebo inspires Slovaks to beat Malta 3-0

Filip Sebo scored a hat-trick on his debut as Slovakia beat Malta 3-0 in a friendly international in Bratislava last night in front of a sparse crowd at the Slovan Stadium.

Sebo, who has just joined Scottish club Rangers from Austria Vienna, pounced in the first half to send a low cross shot past Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber.

He added his second after 75 minutes, heading in from close range from a cross by Ivan Hodur. He completed his hat-trick in the last minute.

Slovakia's victory was tarnished by a knee injury to Nuremberg striker Robert Vittek, a half-time substitute.

Malta coach Dusan Fitzel made six changes to his starting formation with four substitutions effected during the half-time break.

Fourteen minutes from time young midfielder Dyson Falzon was sent on for Claude Mattocks to make his debut for the national team who had a poor first half but improved after the break.

Today, Fitzel will be in Sarajevo to watch Bosnia, Malta's next opponents in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, play against France.

Yesterday's match was the fifth one between Slovakia and Malta with the eastern Europeans now enjoying a record of four victories and a draw.

Slovakia, who narrowly missed qualifying for the World Cup, begin their qualifying for Euro 2008 on September 2 against Cyprus.

Group D also includes Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Wales and San Marino.

Slovakia (starting): Kamil Contofalsky, Radoslav Zabavnik, Jozef Valachovic, Jan Durica, Marian Had, Peter Hlinka, Miroslav Karhan, Marek Sapara, Dusan Svento, Filip Holosko, Filip Sebo.

Malta: Justin Haber (Mario Muscat '46), Ian Ciantar, Steve Wellman (Brian Said '46), Luke Dimech, Ian Azzopardi, Gareth Sciberras (Roderick Bajada '66), Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut, Claude Mattocks (Dyson Falzon '76), Gilbert Agius (Ivan Woods '46), Michael Mifsud (Andre Schembri '46).

Referee: R. Lajuks (Latvia).