MALTA-1, CROATIA-3
Malta are still looking for their first point in Euro 2012 qualifying Group F after succumbing to their seventh straight defeat this evening at the hands of Croatia at the National Stadium.
An unconvincing start by the Maltese team didn't help their cause against a Croatian side who needed to win at all costs to keep up the pressure on Group F leaders Greece, 1-0 winners over Israel earlier today.
The withdrawal through sickness of key defender Jonathan Caruana was another blow for Malta as coach John Buttigieg had to change the positions of a number of players but Croatia were also missing some important players, namely Tottenham midfielders Luka Modric, who was an unused substitute, and Niko Kranjcar who was out altogether.
Croatia took a 2-0 lead before Michael Mifsud revived Malta's hope with a well-taken goal late in the first half but the visitors made the points safe with a third goal midway into the second half.
Malta must regroup quickly as they have another qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday.
Croatia started brightly. Three minutes into the game, Andrew Hogg, the Malta goalkeeper, failed to hold Darijo Srna's free-kick but luckily for the home side the ball flew well wide of the near post.
Minutes later, the Malta defence was found wanting as Milan Badelj guided the ball to the unmarked Srna but the Croatian captain rifled wide from just inside the area.
Croatia continued to push forward. Srna's left-wing free-kick was deflected towards Ivan Klasnic but the Bolton striker mishit his effort.
The visiting team's pressure yielded a breakthrough on 11 minutes. Ognjen Vukojevic's firm drive from just outside the box took a deflection and sailed past the diving Hogg.
Malta threatened to level matters straight from kick-off as a long punt into Croatia's penalty box invited Michael Mifsud to run clear and put pressure on goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa who could only palm the ball a couple of metres away but there was no Maltese takers.
The Maltese players were now playing with more confidence. They came close to an equaliser when Mifsud ran at the Croatian defenders who partially cleared the danger, the ball falling to John Hutchinson whose firm strike from the distance finished just wide.
Close to the half-hour mark, Srna was inches wide with a curling free-kick but two minutes later, Croatia went 2-0 up. Sime Vrsaljko flicked the ball towards the sprinting Milan Badelj who burst into the box and hit past Hogg.
The game looked as good as over but Malta gained a lifeline seven minutes from half-time. Roderick Briffa's persistence paid off as the Valletta midfielder dallied past a host of Croatia players before supplying an excellent through-ball to Mifsud who slotted past Pletikosa for his 29th goal for Malta.
The second half had only just started when Srna again punished more lame defending by Malta as he sped clear on the right before passing to Nikola Kalinic who had just come on for Klasnic. Kalinic had been left unmarked in the centre of the area but his effort was kept out by Hogg.
Shortly afterwards, Ivan Perisic leapt to meet Vrsaljko's cross but his header came off the crossbar.
Malta improved their off-the-ball movement and passing as the second half moved on but their progress was cut short by Croatia who re-established their two-goal lead on 67 minutes. Badelj swung in a fine cross from the right and Dejan Lovren headed past Hogg at the far post.
Croatia's third goal killed Malta but, four minutes from time, Ivan Woods, who had just replaced Mifsud, was inches away from reducing the arrears. Latching onto a good cross from Fenech, Woods drove just wide from routine distance.