Last-gasp goal breaks Maltese hearts in nervy match

Malta 0
Romania 1

Malta's U-21 team had a gruelling return to competitive football as their opening UEFA Group 10 match with Romania at the Hibs Ground developed into a muscular and bad-tempered encounter.

The game, which produced three red cards, two for Romania and one for the hosts, seemed heading for a stalemate but Maltese hearts sank in stoppage time when substitute Clement Palimaru pounced on a mistake by keeper Miguel Montfort to give his team a 1-0 win.

Malta had a glorious chance to open the scoring after five minutes. Ian Zammit's corner triggered a melee in the box, Tyron Farrugia's body feint allowed the ball to run to Paul Fenech at the far post but the latter's grounder ended inches wide of the far post.

The initial exchanges were finely-poised but a series of niggling challenges threatened to raise tempers. It was around the 14th minute mark that Romania's Hristo Chiacu was sent off after aiming a kick at Dyson Falzon, who had just fouled the Romania midfielder.

Midway through the first half, Romania might have nosed ahead when Claudiu Keseru's effort was deflected goalwards by Andrè Agius but Montfort blocked.

Enjoying numerical advantage, Miller's boys sought to pile the pressure on Romania as the first half gained momentum but the visitors were unruffled.

Zammit set off on a series of promising runs but on each occasion, his finishing was erratic.

At the start of the second half, a free-kick by Keseru was diverted for a corner. Ioan Deac produced a good cross from the resultant corner and Adrian Ropotan headed towards goal but Montfort somehow tamed his effort before the Maltese defence cleared the danger. Shortly afterwards, Montfort effected a fine save from Keseru's firm drive.

Seven minutes into the second half, Matthew Bartolo, a surprise omission from Mark Miller's first XI, replaced Hibs team-mate Edmond Agius.

Keseru threatened to break the deadlock but his well-hit volley smacked against the far post. At the other end, Steve Meilaq, released by Falzon, was denied by a fine save from Costel Panatelimon.

Romania would have taken the lead but for providential blocks by Andrei Agius and Edward Herrera on successive shots by substitute Palimaru.

With 17 minutes of the game left, Romania had the ball in the net but Valentin Simion's tap-in was ruled out for offside after Montfort had parried Ninu Ducu's free-kick.

Within minutes, Malta were also reduced to ten men, Farrugia seeing red after his raised elbow caught Ropotan in the face as the two jumped to head the ball.

It was now Romania's turn to torment Malta who survived a scare late in the game when Laszlo Sepsi headed over from Gabriel Torje's cross. Montfort then blocked a dangerous Ropotan volley.

In time added on, Romania struck through substitute Palimaru who was first to the loose ball after Montfort dropped a cross from the right.

Tempers flared on the touchline as Ducu taunted the Maltese bench while Romania celebrated their last-minute salvo. Ducu was red-carded for his offence amid the jeering of the Maltese fans who were incensed by the Romanian players' antics on the pitch.

Malta: M. Montfort, E. Herrera, C. Failla, A. Agius, T. Farrugia, P. Fenech, S. Meilaq ('81 A. Buhagiar), J. Caruana, I. Zammit ('74 S. Bezzina), E. Agius ('52 M. Bartolo), D. Falzon.

Romania: C. Panatelimon, A. Scarlatache ('75 C. Tanase), N. Ducu, L. Sepsi, A. Ropotan, G. Torje, H. Chiacu, S. Mardare, I. Deac ('65 C. Palimaru), C. Keseru, C. Cigan ('60 V. Simion).

Referee: A. Buttimer (Ireland FA).

Scorer: Palimaru 90.

Yellow cards: Farrugia; Fenech; E. Agius; Failla; A. Agius.

Red cards: Chiacu 14; Farrugia 74; Ducu 90.