Maltese commitment undone by French class

France 2
Malta 0

A 2-0 defeat to France, widely regarded as the pacesetters in the field of youth development, is not a disgrace for Malta. But last night's outcome in Lille still drummed home some stark realities in our game.

The U-21 players, all aspiring to earn promotion to the A squad in the near future, played their hearts out as they set about their task of resisting the French overtures to their goal. However, the gulf in class between the two sides told in the end as the hosts emerged comfortable winners.

A two-goal losing margin may not be as pronounced as many may had predicted but the failure of the Maltese players to produce some constructive play was again very much in evidence, something which should give the chiefs of Maltese football plenty of food for thought.

Statistics leave no doubt as to Malta's problems to create and finish off their chances as the team has yet to find the net after five matches.

France, as expected, made most of the early running. But their offensive forays failed to unnerve Malta's crowded rearguard.

Mark Miller's game plan was very simple... contain the opponents' flurry and try to sting them with counter-attacks. His players may not have created many chances of their own in the opening 20 minutes but the speed and dexterity of Hibs striker Antoine Zahra came in handy as Malta won a couple of corners and a free-kick very close to the French penalty area.

The only problem with Malta's performance was that the players treated the ball like a hot potato whenever they had possession.

Justin Haber, the Malta goalkeeper, was rarely tested early on but when France mastered an attempt on goal midway through the first half, the Birkirkara no.1 was up for it.

Gregory Vignal's cross from the left flew straight to Gaele Givet whose glancing header was parried by Haber. On 28 minutes, Haber was responsible for maintaining the stalemate with two fine saves from Habib Bamogo and Lionel Mathis.

Six minutes from half-time Mathis had another chance to ease his side's nerves but his header from a Patrice Evra cross was easily dealt with by the Malta goalie.

As the first half entered its final stages, France upped the tempo, striving to break down Malta's bold resistance with a string of diagonal passes. But the white-shirted boys refused to buckle.

When the fourth official signalled one minute of added time, the Maltese had every right to think that their mission was half accomplished but their optimism was misplaced.

Bamogo, who was also on target against Malta last October, had been a torn in Malta's side for most of the first half and it was he who fired the French ahead in stoppage time.

Malta's defence was outwitted by a through-pass from Vignal which was perfectly read by Bamogo who struck the ball low past Haber.

Ray Domenech's boys almost added a second two minutes after the restart. Evra's pass from the left caught our defence unawares but Florent Simama Pongolle scuffed his shot wide.

Seconds later, the same Simama Pongolle was guilty of missing another sitter, driving wide from close distance.

In a rare Maltese foray, Christian Cassar could and should have equalised for Malta. Kevin Sammut profited from a moment of hesitancy in the hosts' defence as the Malta skipper reclaimed possession inside their box before flicking the ball towards Cassar. The Floriana midfielder had a clear view of goal but opted to go for a low drive which was smothered away by Charles Itandje.

On the hour mark Cassar somehow redeemed for his earlier miss only that this time his intervention rescued Malta from conceding a second goal when hooking away a menacing header by Mathieu Delpierre. The rebound was picked by Simama Pongolle but his effort was also cleared away.

The home fans were enjoying every minute of the match, constantly cheering their players on besides embarking on a Mexican wave.

To add to their pleasure the French players were now stroking the ball around with typical panache and it came as no surprise when they doubled the lead on 69 minutes.

Vignal floated a perfect cross inside the Maltese box, Mathis was allowed space and time to control the ball before chipping it over Haber.

Malta's defence was now betraying signs of weariness and to compound matters for Miller, Gareth Sciberras sustained an injury and was unable to continue. His void was filled by Sean Bajada.

With the points safely wrapped up the French players, top of Group One with full points from four outings, put their feet off the accelerator, allowing Malta some breathing space.

The game had long been won and lost.

France: C. Itandje, B. Mendy, G. Vignal, G. Givet, M. Delpierre, A. Diarra, H. Bamogo (E. Didot), B. Cheyrou, F. Simama Pongolle (M. Moussilou), L. Mathis, P. Evra (G. Lacombe).

Malta: J. Haber, K. Farrugia, I. Azzopardi, E. Barbara, L. Lombardi, G. Sciberras (S. Bajada), K. Sammut, R. Briffa, C. Cassar (T. Cilia), A. Zahra, R. Bajada.

Referee: Edgar Sorin Altmayer (Romania).

Scorers: Bamogo 45th, Mathis 69th.

Yellow cards: Azzopardi, Lacombe.

Attendance: 8,909.