Improved Malta fail to end bleak run

Malta 0
Hungary 1
Torghelle 24

Described by embattled Malta coach Dusan Fitzel as a "confrontation between the progress of two nations" since our team shocked the world of football by beating the Magyars 2-1 in a Euro 2008 qualifier, yesterday's clash between Malta and Hungary took added significance for our elite selection after three successive defeats in as many World Cup ties.

Coming hot on the heels of a turgid display in a 3-0 loss to Denmark, the Maltese were under mounting pressure to raise their game and open their account in this, their last World Cup qualifier for the year.

Fitzel rung the changes and the team responded with a much-improved showing but this was not enough to avert a fourth straight defeat as Hungary prevailed 1-0. A first-half Sandor Torghelle goal helped Hungary soften the bitter memories of their loss here two years ago.

As Fitzel had predicted, the Maltese players applied themselves with plenty of commitment and were never outplayed by the Hungarians who came into the match in high spirits after a 2-0 win over Albania.

Malta gave as much as they got but their play lacked the fluidity and flair needed to break down opponents who opted for a no-risk approach. The resilience of the home team never waned but they were largely restricted to long balls and looked lightweight in attack despite flashes of brilliance from Michael Mifsud.

So, Malta's bleak run in this campaign continues but at least the team ended their schedule for 2008 with a better showing.

It remains to be seen whether this will appease Fitzel who, presuming that he stays as coach, knows that he, the players and the clubs will have to work harder in the next four months to achieve improvement.

Apart from Mifsud, there were encouraging displays from Luke Dimech, a colossus in defence, left-back Shaun Bajada and Ivan Woods. Roderick Briffa also did well after replacing Jonathan Caruana in the first half.

Initial interest centred on Fitzel's selection. He backed his criticism of the team's toothless display in Copenhagen by making no fewer than three changes to his line-up. The most notable was the omission of captain Gilbert Agius with the others losing their place being Ian Azzopardi and Briffa.

Fitzel switched Andrè Schembri to central midfield where he partnered Jamie Pace as Etienne Barbara was deployed on the right.

In attack, Fitzel gave Terrence Scerri another chance to press his claim for a first-team place as the Hibs' forward was given the onus of leading our forward line with Mifsud behind him.

Woods also earned a vote of confidence from Fitzel. Shaun Bajada replaced Azzopardi on the left of a four-man defence which was again marshalled by Dimech and Aaron Xuereb.

Hungary coach Erwin Koeman had Torghelle as the focal point in his attack with the returning Zoltan Gera granted licence to roam in midfield.

A decisive tackle by Dimech to halt a dangerous run by Balazs Dzsudzsak, indicated that the Maltese were up to it yesterday.

Eight minutes into the game, Malta might have opened the scoring when a fine pass by Schembri caused a mix-up in the Hungary defence. The ball ricocheted off Roland Juhasz and into the path of Mifsud who was blocked by goalkeeper Marton Fulop as he was about to shoot.

Scoring chances were scarce but in those early exchanges, Malta looked much livelier than they did in the whole 90 minutes at the Parken Stadium.

On 17 minutes, Barbara drove to the byline down the right and his centre was fisted away by Fulop before Woods could connect.

Hungary had struggled to make much of an attacking impact but they went ahead against the run of play on 24 minutes.

Szabolcs Huszti's left-wing delivery from a corner eluded the Maltese rearguard as the ball sailed to the other side where Juhasz nodded it back and Torghelle sent a glancing header past Justin Haber.

Two minutes past the half hour, Pal Dardai became the first player to go into the referee's book after he tripped the surging Mifsud.

Earlier the Coventry striker required medical treatment on a head wound after he had been stamped on by the abrasive Dardai who was lucky not to be sent off.

Haber, watched from the stands by Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe, did well to beat away Huszti's piledriver from a free-kick.

As the end of the first half approached, Malta appeared to step up their efforts in search of an equaliser but they were largely restricted to long balls by the cautious Hungarians who were clearly careful not to push too many men forward.

The start to the second half saw the red-shirted players striving to keep their attacking threat alive, albeit their endeavours failed to stretch the well-oiled Hungarians.

When Xuereb headed away a Huszti corner and Woods prolonged the ball to Mifsud close to the right touchline, a whiff of anticipation coursed through the home crowd. Mifsud set off on one of his trademark runs, gliding past three opponents but he miscued his cross.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, Agius replaced Scerri and the Valletta veteran took up his usual role in front of defence. Schembri was switched to attack.

Moments later, Huszti mustered a first-time sizzler that flashed wide of the far post. Fitzel's positional changes were meant to add impetus to Malta's attack but this was not forthcoming.

With 18 minutes left, Haber palmed away another corner by Huszti, Hungary's set-piece specialist, as Fitzel summoned Udo Nwoko, who had been warming up, to throw him in the fray.

As the end of the game approached, Malta tried to stage a rally. Eight minutes from time, the marauding Pace stormed towards goal but his effort from inside the six-yard box was blocked.

With the home team now throwing caution to the wind, Hungary threatened to punish their opponents on the counter but their isolated raids were held off by the Maltese.

Deep into stoppage time, Malta were awarded a free-kick in the inside-left channel but Woods's cross was punched away by Fulop.

Malta
J. Haber, J. Caruana ('35 R. Briffa), A. Xuereb, L. Dimech, S. Bajada, E. Barbara ('76 U. Nwoko), J. Pace, A. Schembri, I. Woods, M. Mifsud, T. Scerri ('63 G. Agius).

Hungary
M. Fulop, S. Huszti, L. Bodnar, V. Vanczak, R. Juhasz, B. Bodor, P. Halmosi, B. Dzsudzsak ('70 A. Buzsaky), P. Dardai ('86 T. Balazs), S. Torghelle, Z. Gera.

Referee: J. Valgersson (Iceland).

Yellow cards: Dardai; Juhasz; Gera; Dimech; Pace; Bodnar.

Attendance: 4,797

Malta players' ratings: Haber-6, Caruana-5, Xuereb-6, Dimech-7, Bajada-7, Barbara-5.5, Pace-6.5, Schembri-5.5, Woods-6.5, Mifsud-7.5, Scerri-5. Subs used: Briffa-6.5; Agius-5; Nwoko-5.5.