FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers: Third defeat for Malta in Lithuania

Malta ended its commitments in the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers with a 6-3 defeat to Albania at S. Darius & S. Girenas Sport Center in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Despite this upset, Malta had a good performance against Albania scoring three goals in the process. Azem Brahimi put Albania ahead on 8 minutes before Rej Karaja made it 2-0 on 11 minutes.

The Maltese pulled one back 24 seconds later through Andy Mangion but the Albanians restored their two-goal lead before the break through skipper Roald Halimi. Halimi scored Albania’s fourth on the 22nd with Xavier Saliba scoring Malta’s second goal two minutes later. Malta goalkeeper Reuben Grech was being kept busy but Gentian Begaj and Brahimi increased the lead further although Jovica Milijic scored a third goal for Malta.

France finished top of the group with maximum points after a 6-0 win over Lithuania. Albania placed second on six points, followed by Lithuania on three and Malta with zero points.