Below-par Malta fall to Benayoun’s hat-trick

ISRAEL-3 MALTA-1

Malta’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign began with a 3-1 defeat to Israel at the Ramat Gan Stadium this evening.

Yossi Benayoun, who plays for English Premier League side Chelsea, inspired Israel’s deserved victory with a hat-trick.

As expected, Israel dominated the match but Malta briefly threatened to pull off an upset after Jamie Pace momentarily levelled the score at 1-1 late in the first half.

Israel regained the initiative in the second half, their pressure yielding two more goals that drew the sting out of the battling Malta team whose performance, especially in the attacking phase, left much to be desired.

Malta coach John Buttigieg kept faith with the players who started the friendly match against Macedonia (1-1) last month.

Captain Michael Mifsud and Daniel Bogdanovic led Malta’s attack in a 4-4-1-1-cum-4-4-2 formation.

Israel piled the pressure on Malta from the initial whistle and had the ball in the net after two minutes but Benayoun’s effort was disallowed for a handball by the Chelsea midfielder.

With the home team going all out in search of an early goal, their pressure produced a goal after seven minutes. Dedi Ben Dayan broke clear on the left before passing to Lior Refaelov who jinked his way in to the Malta box. The Maccabi Haifa midfielder pulled the ball back for Benayoun who fired past Hogg.

Refaelov came close with a fierce shot that ended wide and Ben Sahar guided his volley over the bar after the Maltese defence failed to clear a long ball.

Israel’s frenetic start pinned Buttigieg’s men in their own half for much of the opening half-hour. Receiving pass from the agile, Benayoun created space for a shot but his effort was beaten away by Hogg. From the rebound, Sahar’s tame shot was blocked by Jonathan Caruana.

On 24 minutes, Hogg pushed way Ben Dayan’s dangerous long-distance effort and Ben Dayan headed wide from Zehavi’s free-kick.

Much against the run of play, Malta made it one-all seven minutes from half-time. They were awarded a free-kick in the inside-left channel after Shaun Bajada had been fouled and Roderick Briffa’s inviting cross towards the far post was headed home by Pace.

Almog Cohen almost re-established Israel’s advantage but his strong drive cannoned off the crossbar. Two minutes from half-time, Israel threatened again when Refaelov’s cross from a corner reached Ben Haim whose close-range attempt was touched away for a corner by Hogg.

Buttigieg made no changes to his team at half-time. Four minutes into the second period, Andrei Agius saved Malta from a potentially damaging situation as he leapt into the air to clear Dani Bodnar’s dangerous cross.

Hogg then dived at the feet of the advancing Sahar as Israel started the second half in attacking mode.

The Malta goalkeeper saved a central from Biram Kayal who threatened again on 53 minutes but his first-time drive was deflected away for a corner.

Israel restored their lead on 64 minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Andrew Cohen was deemed to have shackled the advancing Almog Cohen in the box. Benayoun made no mistake from the spot.

With 18 minutes left, Malta threatened to make it 2-2 when Roderick Briffa burst into the box from the right but his effort warded off by Aouate.

Israel sealed the points with a third goal 14 minutes from time, Benayoun heading the ball into an empty net after Hogg had parried away a rising shot by substitute Gil Vermouth.

Israel

D. Aouate, T. Ben Haim, D. Bonder, B. Kayal (86 E. Golsa), A. Cohen, L. Refealov, Y. Benayoun, E. Zehavi (50 G. Vermouth), B. Sahar (74 S. Arbeitman), D. Ben Dayan, T. Cohen.

Malta

A. Hogg, J. Caruana, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, D. Bogdanovic (58 A. Cohen), R. Briffa (82 C. Failla), M. Mifsud, S. Bajada, E. Herrera (79 M. Muscat), J. Pace.

Referee Said Ennjimi (France).