Post by Perm on Oct 12, 2006 21:55:59 GMT 10
being proud of my Maltese heritage (mums side) i had to post this.
Malta beat Hungary to end long victory drought
(adds quotes)
By Kevin Azzopardi
TA' QALI, Malta, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Malta won their first European Championship qualifying tie for 24 years on Wednesday, humbling once mighty Hungary 2-1 in a Euro 2008 Group C clash.
Andre Schembri scored twice for the Maltese to give them their first points of the campaign and virtually end Hungary's hopes of qualifying for the finals.
Hungary did manage an equaliser through Sandor Torghelle but they were reduced to 10 men after 38 minutes when Vilmos Vanczak was sent off for a late tackle.
"It was an excellent performance from Malta," their Czech coach Dusan Fitzel told reporters.
"The players' confidence grew after we managed to take an early lead and even though Hungary equalised soon after, the team did not lose focus.
"This was one of those nights when everything just went right for my team. I just hope that this win is not our first and last in this competition."
Malta, who last won a Euro qualifier against Iceland in neutral Messina in 1982, thoroughly deserved their victory as they were the better side, especially after Vanczak was red-carded for fouling Michael Mifsud.
The hosts drew first blood after 13 minutes when the tricky Mifsud's shot came back off the woodwork and the 20-year-old Schembri stabbed the ball into the net.
Hungary needed just six minutes to get back on terms, Sandor Torghelle guiding the ball past Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber after a cross from Stabolcs Huszti.
Mifsud wasted a chance to put Malta back in front when he fired wide from in front of goal while Kevin Sammut's close-range effort was diverted on to the post.
Hungary's Zoltan Gera brought a reflex save out of Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber on the stroke of halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, Schembri breezed past the on-rushing Gabor Kiraly to side foot the winner and clinch an historic victory against the former World Cup finalists.
Hungary coach Peter Bozsik was left stunned.
"It's very hard for me to speak after this defeat. We made a positive start and our passing was good but Mifsud's excellent runs then began to cause big problems for our defenders.
"The red card made our job more difficult and I thought the game was over when Malta scored their second goal early in the second half."
Malta beat Hungary to end long victory drought
(adds quotes)
By Kevin Azzopardi
TA' QALI, Malta, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Malta won their first European Championship qualifying tie for 24 years on Wednesday, humbling once mighty Hungary 2-1 in a Euro 2008 Group C clash.
Andre Schembri scored twice for the Maltese to give them their first points of the campaign and virtually end Hungary's hopes of qualifying for the finals.
Hungary did manage an equaliser through Sandor Torghelle but they were reduced to 10 men after 38 minutes when Vilmos Vanczak was sent off for a late tackle.
"It was an excellent performance from Malta," their Czech coach Dusan Fitzel told reporters.
"The players' confidence grew after we managed to take an early lead and even though Hungary equalised soon after, the team did not lose focus.
"This was one of those nights when everything just went right for my team. I just hope that this win is not our first and last in this competition."
Malta, who last won a Euro qualifier against Iceland in neutral Messina in 1982, thoroughly deserved their victory as they were the better side, especially after Vanczak was red-carded for fouling Michael Mifsud.
The hosts drew first blood after 13 minutes when the tricky Mifsud's shot came back off the woodwork and the 20-year-old Schembri stabbed the ball into the net.
Hungary needed just six minutes to get back on terms, Sandor Torghelle guiding the ball past Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber after a cross from Stabolcs Huszti.
Mifsud wasted a chance to put Malta back in front when he fired wide from in front of goal while Kevin Sammut's close-range effort was diverted on to the post.
Hungary's Zoltan Gera brought a reflex save out of Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber on the stroke of halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, Schembri breezed past the on-rushing Gabor Kiraly to side foot the winner and clinch an historic victory against the former World Cup finalists.
Hungary coach Peter Bozsik was left stunned.
"It's very hard for me to speak after this defeat. We made a positive start and our passing was good but Mifsud's excellent runs then began to cause big problems for our defenders.
"The red card made our job more difficult and I thought the game was over when Malta scored their second goal early in the second half."
