The hundreds of spectators who thronged the Hibs Ground yesterday returned home disappointed as the national team was comprehensively beaten by Croatia 40-18 in a Nations Cup qualifier.

It was a second successive defeat for the Maltese who lost 27-16 to Latvia the week before.

Against Croatia, Malta were looking to re-launch their campaign but in the end they were found wanting, particularly in defence. Eventually they were punished by more efficient opponents.

In fly half Ivan Rejetar, Croatia had their star performer. He made all the difference.

Malta are now facing a tough task to retain their status in Division Two. They will have to beat Andorra and Poland next year to avoid relegation.

Rejetar scored an early penalty and Yakja Lovreta touched the ball beyond the line to give Croatia an ideal head-start.

Lee Culnane was blocked outside the try-line but in came Oliver Sacco who lunged himself to give Malta the first try of the match. Jamie Caruana failed to score the conversion - 5-8.

Caruana tried to redeem himself from another penalty 35m out but failed to hit the target.

Croatia consolidated their advantage with a Scot Keith try. The 'New Zealander' hit again on 28 minutes. Caruana reduced the gap with a drop kick, the first ever for Malta in international competition as the Croats led 18-10 at the break.

The second half started badly for the hosts when Marin Antunovic profited from a mistake in the Malta defence and easily made the try with Rejetar putting the Croats 25-8 in front.

Pierre Mangion's expulsion did not help matters as the team had to play for the next 10 minutes with a man less. But from a swift attacking move Malta's James Finlason burst through for a try to cut the leeway to 25-13.

On 42 minutes Rejetar converted another penalty and Malta's hopes were all but finished on the hour when the inspirational Rejetar sped through to score another try which he himself converted - 35-13.

Eddie Zarb had a late try for Malta but the final say belonged to Keith. He scored his third try of the day for a final 40-18 scoreline.

Malta: I. Borda, J. Ramage, S. Zarb 5, P. Mangion, R. Bonavia, G. Kennedy, S. Kempster, D. St George, J. Dimond, J. Caruana 3, J. Finlason 5, T. Watts, M. Attard, L. Culnane, O. Sacco 5.

Subs used: M. Mirabelli, M. McArdle, L. Mifsud.

Croatia: S. Sljeroevic, G. Culic, A. Dadic, M. Antunovic 10, S. Keith 15, F. Vijakovic, V. Pomper, Y. Lovreta 5, Y. Dedic, I. Rejetar 10, S. Nikolic, T. Buratin, D. Muslim, A. Olujic, V. Antic.

Sub used: M. Bunic.

Referee: Felix Villegas (Spain).


National coach Damien Neill admitted his players needed to show better concentration after committing a series of defensive errors that led to a disappointing downfall at the Hibs Ground yesterday.

"It was not the best of performances," Neill said after the match.

"We had a game plan for this match and we spent a whole week working on in but we failed to put that into practice.

"Besides, we made some schoolboy errors in defence and against teams like Croatia you cannot afford to do that, certainly not."

With two defeats from as many matches this was certainly not an auspicious start to the team.

Malta will play host to Andorra on May 12 before travelling to Poland a week after.

"We must beat Andorra and Poland to stay in this division," Neill said. "It will not be easy but we can do it. Hopefully, for next year we will have some foreign-based players back and that will ease our selection worries.

"This squad is relatively young and inexperienced. Some players still need more matches to gel. We just have to be patient and give them the time they need to fulfil their potential."

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