Nine-man Malta lose in Amiens

Malta U-21 were beaten 2-0 by France in the group’s final round of matches, yesterday.

The Maltese produced a solid display in the opening half in sunny Amiens but the hosts hit two goals midway through the second half to break down Edwin Camilleri’s team’s resistance.

France knew they had to score goals to keep their play-off hopes alive and substitute Lynel Kitambala opened the score on 58 minutes with a firm header from a corner.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa made it 2-0 from a similar dead-ball situation on 66 minutes.

Tempers flared ten minutes from time when Mark Scerri and Kitambala were shown the red card after the Maltese player retaliated to an abrasive challenge.

Five minutes later, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, was also dismissed for another tough tackle on Paul Baysee.

Malta finished bottom in Group Eight with no points from eight matches. The team did not score a single goal and conceded 13.

France: J. Carasso, G. Bocaly, C. Mbengue, M. Yanga-Mbiwa, P. Baysee, D. Marcq (‘46 S. Bakar), J. Biabiany (‘57 E. Riviere), M. Schneiderlin, A. Modeste (‘46 L. Kitambala), Y. Brahimi, F. Tabanou.

Malta: H. Bonello, B. Muscat, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, T. Farrugia, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, T. Vella (‘60 C. Gatt Baldacchino), J. Zerafa, J. Galea, R. Chetcuti.

Referee: A. Soares Dias (Portugal).

Final standings: Ukraine (4-4-0) 16; Belgium (4-3-1) 15; France (4-3-1) 15; Slovenia (2-2-4) 8; Malta (0-0-8) 0.