Malta concluded their commitments in the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers with a 6-3 defeat to second-placed Albania in Kaunas, Lithuania, yesterday.
Peter Pullicino’s team finished without a point in Group C after losing to France (8-2) and hosts Lithuania (2-1) in their previous games.
In their final encounter yesterday, Malta trailed by two goals inside the opening 11 minutes before Andy Mangion pulled one back.
Albania stayed on top to go 4-1 ahead but Xavier Saliba narrowed the deficit for Malta on 24 minutes Malta goalkeeper Reuben Grech produced a series of fine saves as Albania continued to attack.
Albania sealed the issue after establishing a four-goal advantage, 6-2, before Jovica Milijic scored Malta’s third and final goal.
France claimed top spot in Group C with a maximum nine points after hammering Lithuania 6-0 in their last qualifier yesterday.
Standings
France 9 points; Albania 6; Lithuania 3; Malta 0.