Courtesy: Dive.com

Malta crush down to Kazakhstan in second futsal game

by Chris Galea, di-ve sports (cgal@di-ve.com)

Malta - Kazakhstan 0-13

Friday, January 19, 2007

Although hopes for qualification to the UEFA Futsal Championship for Nations had not yet been set aside, a nightmarish first half practically sealed the fate for the Maltese and the second half was reduced to a mere formality, where the Kazakhs even extended their lead to crushing proportions.

The final score of 13-0 was not only a heavy defeat in appearance, but also as the Maltese rarely managed to get into the game and produce enough to resist the strong and more experienced Kazakhs.

Malta were off to a good start as they were determined to put the negative performance of the day before behind their backs, giving their utmost not to concede an early goal that would cut off their legs as had happened against Cyprus.

Nevertheless, Kazakhstan had the best of the early chances and forged ahead with their captain BONDAREV, who fired into the top of the net after dribbling past his direct opponent.

Malta had a good opportunity when Bray stole the ball from a badly taken Kazakh corner and ran down the line. His shot was however inches wide. Bray had another good chance soon after when a Borg through ball found him unmarked, but his shot was again off target.

The whites were made to pay for their mistakes when ABDRAKHMANOV found the net to extend the lead for the Kazakhs.

The Maltese had a lapse in concentration when a weak shot by the same player which was going wide was converted into a goal by BONDAREV, who was unexplainably left unmarked next to the goal.

Malta's futsal coach Michael Striz thus called a time-out to give out his instructions and allow the team to settle down again.

However, the state of confusion among the locals persisted and was again evident when RESHETNIKOV was allowed the space to run down the flank and fire home the Kazakhs' fourth goal.

The score began to assume huge proportions when BONDAREV and ABDRAKHMANOV both put their name on the score sheet again as the more experienced Kazakhs took advantage of the spaces they were given by the Maltese.

Mr.Striz must have told off his players in the changing room, as the Maltese came back to the pitch for the second half resolved to at least transform the score into a more honourable one and applied more pressure on their opponents.

Despite all efforts by the Maltese, the Kazakhs found the net again with BUTRIN, who punished the Maltese defence for yet another mistake.

Soon after, KOZIN scored two goals in quick succession as he concluded from an acute angle after extended actions from the Kazakhs.

Malta's second gaoler Gialanze debuted with the national team as he came in for Vassallo, who suffered an injury earlier on and who once again produced some fine saves even though the score might indicate otherwise.

Gialanze's debut was soon spoiled by the Kazakhs, as SHPICHKA, KARIMOV -- with a chip over the onrushing keeper -- ABDRAKHMANOV and KOZIN put the ball behind his shoulders.

The end result read 13-0 for Kazhakistan, which buried all Maltese hopes for qualification and showed that the national team still has to work really hard to see some improvement.

Malta's match against Georgia on Sunday at 1600CET has been reduced to a mere consolation match, but it will be a good opportunity for the Maltese to gain some more experience on the international field and build on the lessons learnt at the mini-tournament held in Paola.

Cyprus beat Georgia 4-1 earlier in the day, meaning that Sunday's match against Kazhakstan will determine who is certain to qualify, although the loser would still be in with a possibility to qualify as one of the best two second-placed teams from the four preliminary groups.

Formations:

Malta: Vassallo, Bilocca (c), Borg, Magro, Cutajar; Ellul Sullivan, Bray, Bugeja, Caruana, Gatt, Gialanze, Portelli.

Kazakhstan: Khalyvin, Shpichka, Kozin, Suleimenov, Terentyev; Peremyshlin, Yerzhanov, Reshetnikov, Abdrakhmanov, Butrin, Bondarev (c), Karimov.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com