Solid Malta down Poles

A largely rejuvinated Malta put up a solid performance to beat Poland 7-3 yesterday in the first match of Group A of the 2012 European Championship qualifying round.

Inspired by sound goalkeeping of newcomer Alan Borg Cole and according to Sergio Afric ‘a solid rearguard which made for the right platform for victory’.

Malta gradually wore down their opponents mentally to end on top note especially after showing the visitors a clean ‘pair of heels’ in the last session which they won 3-0.

The result means that Malta have laid a strong claim to qualify from this three-team group which sees the top two proceeding to the next round. It was a heartening display since, it must be said, that Malta’s squad included some promising, but untried, elements alongside the established pack.

Apart from Paul Privitera and Nikki Gouder, both of whom have retired from national duties, the latter also from waterpolo, the team were also without the talismanic Steve Camilleri who was on duty with his Italian team RN Bogliasco and could not be included despite the efforts of the ASA to bring him over.

Malta went behind in the first session and only made headway with 22 seconds left thanks to John Brownrigg. They had failed on three occasions to profit from their opponents’ numerical handicap.

Zoning around the five-metre area, and with Borg Cole looking impressive, Malta looked a good bet to hold more than their own. When not in possession, they were restricting the Poles to hurried long-range shots.

Goals from Niki Lanzon and Jordan Camilleri, on extra-man ups, put Malta 3-1 up before Poland reduced the gap towards the end of the second session.

It was a goal apiece in the third part of the game, but Malta were guilty of some hesitancy when they squandered two early chances on extra man sets. John Soler made it 4-2 but Poland pulled a goal back with 55 seconds left for the end of the session to make it 4-3.

In the last quarter, the Maltese grew taller as goals from Soler, Mark Meli and Lanzon sealed the issue.

Malta 7
Poland 3
(1-1, 2-1, 1-1, 3-0)

Malta: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, T. Sullivan, M. Stellini, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono, S. Gravina, P. Borg, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Poland: M. Diakonow, M. Turowski, M. Krawczyk 1, A. Perka, P. Piatek, D. Luc, T. Rozycki 2, M. Bar, M. Czapla, R. Sekula, B. Luczak, W. Leszek, T. Baczkoski.

Referees: F.X. Buck (Spain), P. Planchon (France).

Next match: Turkey vs Malta – November 20.