Classy Portugal made light work of Malta on Saturday despite the home team's endeavours to grind out a respectable result in their opening World Cup 2010 qualifier at the National Stadium.

It says all about Portugal's supremacy, particularly in a one-sided second half, that goalkeeper Justin Haber was one the busiest players on the pitch. The 27-year-old conceded four goals but made a string of saves to deny Portugal a more emphatic victory.

"I guess today's match exposed the difference in class between the two teams," Haber said.

"We tried our best to get a positive result but Portugal were superior. It's one of those games where you can only give credit to the opponents... they were better and the result does not lie.

"I'm sorry for the fans because they turned up in large numbers and kept supporting us throughout the match. I'm really saddened that they left the stadium with a sour taste."

Malta had weathered the storm in the first half, limiting Portugal to only one goal which came courtesy of a deflection off Brian Said.

The second half was a different story altogether as the Portuguese passed the battling Maltese players into submission after Hugo Almeida doubled the score a minute past the hour.

"Our performance dipped in the second half as tiredness took its toll," Haber commented.

"It was hard out there, spending all that time chasing Portugal who must have had 60 to 70 per cent ball possession overall. We tried to keep going but we were too exhausted to react."

On a personal level, Haber, who joined English club Sheffield United on a two-year deal last month, admitted it was important for him to play in Saturday's qualifier.

"It was important to be involved in this match, not only because of the prestige of facing a team of Portugal's calibre but also to pep up match sharpness," Haber said.

"The chief executive of Sheffield United and my agent came to watch this match and I really wanted to leave a good impression, apart from the fact that I take immense pride from playing for my country."

The Maltese players cannot afford to dwell too long on Saturday's debacle, with an away qualifier against Albania awaiting them on Wednesday.

"Albania is going to be another test for us," Haber said. "We must put the Portugal defeat behind us as quickly as possible.

"Obviously, we will analyse the match against Portugal and I believe that despite the heavy defeat, we can take some positives from our performance, especially in the opening 45 minutes."

Albania trip

The Maltese squad, led by coach Fitzel, had a light training session at Ta' Qali yesterday morning. The outfield players who played on Saturday left early as they continued their recovery session at the Corinthia Palace Hotel while the rest of the squad did some crossing and shooting practice under the eyes of Fitzel and his assistant Michael Striz.

Ivan Woods, who started the game against Portugal, had to pull out due to a thigh injury.

His place in the squad has been taken by forward Andrè Schembri who missed Saturday's qualifier because of suspension.