MALTA-1, CZECH REPUBLIC-4

Malta failed to emulate their spirited performances in last month's games against Denmark and Bulgaria as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat to Czech Republic in their last home outing of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Captain Michael Mifsud scored Malta's goal on his 100th appearance for the national team but that was one of the few positives for the home side as the Czechs, chasing a win after Armenia's 2-1 win over Bulgaria revived their qualifying hopes, were effectively in control from start to finish.Their slick passing and build-up play was in stark contrast with Malta's disjointed efforts, especially at the back.

Two goals down by the end of the first half, Malta looked to have reopened the issue when Mifsud beat Petr Cech two minutes into the second half for his 38th international goal but their comeback hopes fizzled out three minutes later when the Czechs regained their three-goal advantage.Malta's starting formation showed four changes from the 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria.

Andrew Cohen came in for the suspended Andre Schembri while John Mintoff and Roderick Briffa replaced Edward Herrera and Gareth Sciberras who were among the substitutes as they were not 100 per cent fit.In defence, Jonathan Caruana was preferred to Andrei Agius.

Malta endured a terrible start, falling behind after only three minutes. It was a soft goal as Tomas Hubschman's shot from outside the box appeared to take a slight deflection which deceived Haber despite the Malta goalkeeper getting a touch to the ball.

Hubschman's opener rattled Malta who were short of fluency for much of the opening 10 minutes.Petr Cech pushed away a Cohen cross and, on 15 minutes, Rowen Muscat's through-ball sent Mintoff through but the Czech goalkeeper sprinted off his line to anticipate the Malta winger.

The Czechs threatened again when Catania's Jaroslav Plasil ended a fine solo run with a low drive that was spilled by Haber but the Malta defenders managed to clear the danger.Deployed in a 4-1-3-2 formation, the Czechs attacked with purpose as their accurate passing was making it hard for Malta.

Home optimism rose when Mifsud capitalised on a misplaced backpass and raced into the box from the left but his close-range striker was parried away by the alert Cech.

Borek Dockal was then involved in a fine interchange with David Lafata but the Sparta Prague sent the ball against the side-netting.Haber then blocked a central effort from Vaclac Kadlec and, on 27 minutes, Hubschman fired over from outside the box.Three minutes past the half-hour, the Czechs increased their lead.

The danger for Malta again came from the right as Rajtoral's cross soared into the box and David Lafata outjumped Haber to head the ball into the net.Malta were disjointed in the first half but they gained a boost two minutes after the restart.It was a good move as Cohen passed to Briffa who swivelled before slipping a through-ball to Mifsud who ran into the box and slotted past Cech.

Malta were back in the game but not for long. Three minutes later, the Czechs regained their two-goal lead. The Maltese side\'s defending was poor as Michal Kaldec's low cross from the right caused havoc in the box, the ball was deflected to Vaclav Kadlec who poked the ball into the net.

The hosts should have reduced the deficit on 56 minutes when Clayton Failla retrieved possession in the inside-left channel and his cross was diverted towards Briffa. The latter's cross-cum-shot rolled towards Cohen but the latter's flick, from close range, ended just wide.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Ghedin was forced to make his first substitution after Caruana suffered an injury after colliding with Haber. Agius came on for Caruana.The Czechs remained in control as Malta failed to make a reaction.Eight minutes from time, Lafata's shot from outside the box took a deflection and Haber saved easily.

Malta's predicament increased in stoppage time when Josef Husbauer's cross, again from the right, flew into the box and substitute Tomas Pekhart won his aerial duel with Agius to head past the hapless Haber.

Pekhart was unable to continue after suffering a head injury as he went up for the ball with Agius.Just before the final whistle, Mifsud breezed his way into the box but Cech stopped the Malta captain' effort.

Malta - J. Haber, J. Caruana (57 A. Agius), L. Dimech, C. Failla (87 R. Fenech), R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, A. Cohen, J. Mintoff, R. Muscat, R. Camilleri (81 P. Fenech), A. Muscat.

Czech Republic - P. Cech, F. Rajtoral, T. Sivok, M. Suchy, M. Kadlec, B. Dockal, T. Hubschman, J. Plasil, J. Husbauer, D. Lafata (85 P. Jiracek), V. Kadlec (73 T, Pekhart, 90+ O. Vanek).

Referee Matej Jug (Slovenia).

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