MALTA-0, ISRAEL-2
Malta failed to end a disappointing Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on a high note this evening as they succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Israel at the National Stadium.
Israel were the better side for long spells but, as happened in the game against Latvia last Friday, Malta were unlucky not to sneak an equaliser in the second half as Gareth Sciberras's header came off the crossbar.
A second Israel goal in stoppage time killed Malta's hopes of gaining what would have been only their second point in Group F after last month's draw against Georgia.
Captain Michael Mifsud and Jonathan Caruana returned for Malta after hamstring injuries forced them out of Friday's 2-0 defeat to Latvia.
Coach John Buttigieg dropped Andre Schembri and Jamie Pace from the starting team in favour of Ivan Woods and Paul Fenech.
Malta made a positive start. After just four minutes, Mifsud, reaching a pass from Woods, swept past an opponent and produced a shot that flashed against the side-netting.
Two minutes later, Carlo Mamo advanced on the left before sending a cross towards the far post where Paul Fenech could only chest the ball wide.
Israel created their first chance on nine minutes when Lior Refaelov produced a rising shot that drifted high and wide. Refaelov gave Israel the lead on 10 minutes, hitting home from close in afrer Malta had failed to deal with Talb Tawatha's strong run on the left.
Israel's goal rocked Malta. Another fast move by the visitors unsettled the Malta defenders as Ben Sahar ran into the box from the left and his cross was partially cleared by Hogg. The loose ball fell to Maor Bar Buzaglo who looked odds-on to score but his shot was deflected away for a corner Caruana.
A swerving free-kick by Fenech swirled across the width of the penalty box before the Israel defenders deflected the ball wide.
A powerful run by Sciberras, who had retrieved possession just outside the Malta box, invited Malta to move forward. Sciberras passed to Woods who picked out Mifsud as the Malta captain drifted into the box from the left but his central shot was kept out by Dudu Aouate, the Israel goalkeeper.
But, Israel remained in command. On one occasion, Hemed gave a through-ball to Eyal Golsa whose lofted shot was partially blocked by Hogg before Andrei Agius cleared the danger.
Hogg rescued Malta when he effected a top-class save to push away Hemed's header following another cross by Tawatha.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Refaelov's brisk run triggered panic in the Malta defence as the Club Brugge striker swept past Agius. Out came Hogg to try and close down Refaelov who left the Malta goalkeeper in his wake before crossing for Sahar who headed over.
Five minutes from half-time, Roderick Briffa stopped Tawatha's incursion and lofted the ball over the top of Israel's defence and towards Mifsud who volleyed high.
In the closing stages of the first half, Agius denied Refaelov a second goal as the Malta defender deflected the Israel striker's strong shot away for a corner.
Malta enjoyed a let-off five minutes into the second when Sahar sped unimpeded into the box but his initial effort was pawed away by Hogg. Sahar was first to the rebound but his header crashed against the underside of the bar.
Sahar threatened again minutes later but Caruana came rushing back to take the ball away from the Auxerre forward.
Buttigieg made his first substitution on 65 minutes, Edward Herrera replacing for Paul Fenech who looked out of place on the right of midfield.
Malta were now attacking with purpose, Woods chipping wide after spotting Aouate out of position.
With 18 minutes remaining, Buttigieg's team were unfortunate not to level when Fenech's cross from the left was met by Sciberras whose powerful header cannoned off the crossbar with the ball dropping near the goal-line.
'Goal' screamed the home fans but the Portuguese match officials allowed play to continue.
Woods then created space for a shot but his low effort was easily saved by Aouate.
Hogg palmed Bibars Natcho's free-kick over the bar five minutes from the end. This came after Mifsud had had a low grounder saved by Aouate.
In stoppage time, Israel wrapped up their win with a second goal. Natcho' cross from a free-kick flew towards the towering Rami Gershon whose dipping backheader had the better of Hogg.
Malta
A. Hogg, J. Caruana (82 S. Borg), C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, R. Fenech, R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, P. Fenech (64 E. Herrera), J. Hutchinson, I. Woods (81 C. Caruana).
Israel
D. Aouate, D. Bondaru (57 G.W. Vermouth), R. Gershon, B. Natcho, L. Refaelov (49 A. Cohen), M.B. Buzaglo, N. Bitton, T. Tawatha, T. Hemed, B. Sahar, E. Golsa
Referee: Bruno Miguel Paixao (Portugal).