Cyprus punish toothless Malta

GSP STADIUM, Nicosia
Cyprus 2
Malta 1

The same old story. A spirited performance in a first half in which Malta could and should have at least struck one goal, heightened hopes of a first victory for our national team in the EURO 2004 qualifying campaign when facing Cyprus.

Great composure, commitment and an almost flawless tactical discipline were the key to Malta's sprightly display but the team's failure to translate their chances into goals allied with that old, recurring failing of dropping their guard in key moments, yet again consigned the team to another defeat, their fourth in a row in this qualifying campaign.

Talk of the gap between Cyprus and Malta growing wider over the last few years looked exaggerated as Sigfried Held's men defended stoutly and created as many chances, if not more than Cyprus, in the first half.

No prizes, however, for guessing which team had the last laugh.

Cyprus's breakthrough five minutes after the restart had a knock-on effect on Malta's confidence and by the time Michael Mifsud pulled one back on the stroke of time, the game had already been lost and won.

Although the commitment of the Maltese cannot be faulted, the stark truth remains that when Cyprus upped their game, our players struggled to match their speed, never mind the team's inability to keep up with the tempo for 90 minutes.

But it had all started so brightly for the Maltese. Distant chants of 'Malta, Malta' greeted the teams' entrance on the pitch of the GSP Stadium in Nicosia as a small group of Maltese travellers, who joined a Mondial tour, strove to make their presence felt.

Malta's constant pressing in the final third of the pitch had the Cyprus defence on their toes in the early stages. After 14 minutes, Daniel Bogdanovic, yesterday stepping in for the suspended Joe Brincat, and the active Michael Mifsud combined well to win possession, the ball was squared to Stefan Giglio who in turn passed to Gilbert Agius. The latter's cross towards the steaming Michael Mifsud was cut out by goalkeeper Nikos Panayiotou.

Cyprus's improvement has been largely attributed to their export of players to the Greek League but Momcilo Vukotic's initial formation yesterday contained only two foreign-based players... Ioannis Okkas, of PAOK Salonica, and Panathinaikos' Michael Constantinou.

After a header from Petros Konnafis ended just wide, Malta yet again profited from some lax defending by their opponents. Adrian Mifsud, Held's choice as the replacement for Chucks Nwoko who twisted an ankle during training on Monday, was quick to loft the ball towards the rushing Michael Mifsud. The latter's speed took him past the Cyprus defenders, but Panayiotou charged out of goal to avert the danger.

Cyprus struggled in the opening 20 minutes as their attacking manoeuvres were easily dealt with by the well-organised Maltese team. The crux for Malta was always going to be whether they would maintain their early optimal level of commitment and concentration throughout the entire match.

After 24 minutes, a Rainer Raufmann header from a corner sailed over the bar and Ioakim, unmarked in the penalty area, miscued his volley which was cleared away by David Carabott.

Cyprus were now applying some real pressure on Malta, Raufmann dragging his shot just wide from an angled position when coming face to face with Muscat after he was released by Okkas.

Malta refused to be overawed and it took a fine save from Cyprus goalkeeper Panayiotou to deny Bogdanovic from goal after Carabott's cut-back had caught the home defence on the wrong foot. This came after 30 minutes.

The game ebbed to and fro, Michael Mifsud squandering a fine chance for Malta when shooting high from a good position after getting on the end of an intelligent Bogdanovic through-pass.

The pace abated as the first half drew to a close, Cyprus unable to make much of an attacking impact against an uncompromising Maltese team. The only cause of concern for the visitors at the end of the first half was Michael Mifsud who, twice during the first half, had to receive treatment for a bleeding nose after he was seemingly elbowed by an opponent.

The Kaiserslautern striker re-appeared for the second half, fashioning a rising shot which was saved by the Cyprus goalkeeper.

However, Malta's resistance was breached five minutes into the second half when Raufmann, completely unmarked in the penalty area, leapt to head home a Kaiafas cross. It was the only episode when the Maltese defence was caught unprepared... and it resulted in a goal.

Raufmann's breakthrough looked to have alleviated the pressure off the Cypriots who were now moving forward with more vigour. In a goalmouth melee, Okkas retrieved possession and bypassed Carlo Mamo but his pass found no takers. Raufmann latched onto the ball but his goalbound strike was chested away in extremis by Giglio.

Seventeen minutes into the second half, Held introduced George Mallia instead of Adrian Mifsud. Mallia assumed a role in midfield with Bogdanovic detailed to partner Michael Mifsud in attack.

Spotting Bogdanovic lurking near the far post, Luke Dimech, a pillar in Malta's defence, supplied him with a fine cross but the Valletta striker's header posed no trouble for Panayiotou. At the other end, a Konnafis lob was off target as Cyprus threatened to punish Malta on the counter. Malta's fears were realised as the hosts sealed victory 16 minutes from time.

Theodotou used his speed to devastating effect as he advanced on the right, slipped past Mamo before setting up substitute Yiasoumis Yiasoumi. His attempt was deviated by Muscat but the ball rolled into the path of Okkas who flicked the ball into an empty net.

The base of the post spared Daniel Theuma an ignominous introduction to the game 10 minutes from the end as his deflected clearance from a Kaiafas free-kick touched the woodwork before Muscat grabbed the ball.

Agius unleashed a powerful shot that flew high before Malta revived their flickering hopes when Michael Mifsud controlled the ball before lifting it into the roof of the net at the death. He was served at the far post by Carabott.

But it was too late for Malta to stage a comeback as three minutes later, referee Anton Guenov whistled the end of the match with Cyprus 2-1 winners.

Group One Qualifier

Cyprus: N. Panayiotou, P. Konnafis, I. Ioakim, P. Spyrou, G. Theodotou, M. Satsias (C. Michail 62), I. Okkas, C. Kaiafas, M. Constantinou (N. Nikolaou 66), S. Okkarides, R. Raufmann (Y. Yiasoumi 71).

Malta: M. Muscat, B. Said, J. Chetcuti, D. Carabott, C. Mamo (Mig. Mifsud 74), L. Dimech, G. Agius, S. Giglio (D. Theuma 80th), M. Mifsud, A. Mifsud (G. Mallia 62), D. Bogdanovic.

Referee: Anton Guenov (Bulgaria).

Scorers: Raufmann 50th; Okkas 74th; Mifsud 90th.

Yellow cards: Chetcuti, Giglio, Mamo; Ioakim, Yiasoumi.