Ryan Camenzuli launches a Malta attack against Turkey at the National Stadium, yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Malta 0
Turkey 3
Bassan 13, 48, Demir 83;

A disastrous campaign ended on a typically deflating note yesterday as Malta’s U-21 team succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Turkey in their final Group 7 qualifier.

It was not the scoreline that made this defeat very frustrating from a local perspective but the abject performance of the home team in what was Silvio Vella’s debut as Malta U-21 coach.

Bar a glaring miss in the first half when Turkey were leading 1-0, Malta were second best throughout, especially in the second period, as they slipped to their eighth defeat from as many games to end the competition without a point.

The promotion of five U-21 players to the senior squad ought to have been a source of motivation for their team-mates but on this evidence, the experienced members in the U-21 pool have work to do to follow the likes of Bjorn Kristensen and Zach Muscat.

Vella set out his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Luke Montebello deployed as lone forward and Valletta team-mate Llwelyn Cremona handed probing duties.

Turkey coach Abdullah Ercan opted for 4-3-3 with Ali Omer Sahiner, who plays for Konyaspor, taking up the central striking role.

After a tepid opening, Turkey broke the deadlock in their first significant attacking foray.

Kerim Koyunlu pounced on a half-clearance before supplying a through-ball to Emrah Bassan who lifted the ball over Jurgen Borg after slipping into the box from the blindside.

Yusuf Erdogan, who is on the books of Trabzonspor, was an enterprising figure in the early stages with his powerful runs down the left flank.

Midway into the first half, Erdogan delivered a teasing cross but Yilmas Calik headed wide.

Malta spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level on 27 minutes.

Having repelled a Turkey corner, Malta broke on the counter through Cremona who surged towards the box before releasing Jurgen Pisani who was unmarked but his tame effort was turned away by Omer Kahveci, the Turkey goalkeeper.

With the Maltese youngsters struggling to retain possession, Turkey remained the brisker side.

Any hopes Malta might have had of taking something from their last qualifier were extinguished three minutes into the second as Trabzonspor winger Bassan doubled Turkey’s advantage with a fierce grounder from inside the box.

Two goals ahead, Turkey continued to dominate possession, pinning Malta in their own half.

Ryan Camenzuli’s miscued clearance highlighted Malta’s troubles to find some sort of rhythm.

Turkey switched to training mode for the remainder of the second half but they still increased their advantage seven minutes from time, substitute Muhammet Demiri scrambling the ball home from close in after Salih Ucan’s intelligent run had opened up the home defence.

Malta should have pulled one back when Pisani raced clear on the left and crossed for Montebello but the latter was anticipated by a defender.

Malta
J. Borg, C. Attard, C. Grech, L. Cutajar, C. Borg (79 J. Bezzina), B. Farrugia, L. Cremona, R. Camenzuli (69 S. Borg), L. Micallef, J. Pisani (86 R. Micallef), L. Montebello.

Turkey
O. Kahveci, A. Okan, Y. Calik, K. Koyunlu (84 E. Unal), A. Ozturk, S. Ucan, M. Demirci, H. Cinemre, A.O. Sahiner (63 M. Demir), Y. Erdogan, E. Bassan (71 B. Basacikoglu).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Ireland).

Yellow cards: Erdogan; Cremona; Cutajar; Alpaslan; Grech; Demir; Bezzina.

Other result: Sweden vs Greece 3-0.