An own goal six minutes in the second half gave Turkey a narrow win over Malta in a match from Group 6 of the UEFA Under-21 Championship at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

This was the fifth defeat for Malta in as many matches following three 2-1 defeats to Belgium, Cyprus and Hungary and a 3-0 defeat to Sweden.

The game turned out as one-way traffic with the visitors holding the initiative but being unlucky not to take the lead on the 34th minute when Mehmet Celik’s goal-bound shot hit the foot of the upright.

However on the 51st minute, Turkey forged ahead thanks to a Kubilay Kanatsizkus effort deflected by Karl Micallef past goalkeeper Jake Galea.

MALTA Jake Galea, Jean Borg, Kurt Zammit, Karl Micallef, Dunstan Vella (80’ Zachary Scerri), Joseph Mbong, Jake Grech, Kyrian Nwoko, Jurgen Degabriele, Juan Corbalan (85, Zachary Brincat), Dexter Xuereb (60’ Jacob Walker).

TURKEY Muhammed Sengezer, Mehmet Celik, Ali Aydin, Ertugrul Ersoy (70’ Rustu Hanli), Merih Demiral, Doganay Kilic, Orkan Cinar (87′ Melih Okutan), Hasan Ozkan, Kubilay Kanatsizkus, Deniz Hummet (79’ Caner Kota), Umut Bozok.

Referee: Alexandru Tean (MDA)