Malta U-17 ended their commitments in the UEFA Championship qualifiers when lost to hosts Finland 4-2 in Tammela yesterday.
For Sergio Soldano’s boys this was their third successive defeat in Group 3 but their performance yesterday was better than in their previous two matches when they lost to Ireland (6-0) and Sweden (5-1).
Timo Stavitski put Finland ahead on 29 minutes before Eero Hyo-kyvirta made it 2-0 on 46 minutes.
The Maltese pulled a goal back on 53 three minutes through Neil Frendo but the Finns should restored their two-goal lead through skipper Juho Montola.
Omar Elouni bridged the gap for Malta on 77 minutes but it was the Finns who netted a fourth through Nikolas Saira in stoppage time.
Ireland finished top of the group on seven points after a 1-1 draw against Sweden who also progress to the Elite Round.