Latvia put two past unlucky Malta

Malta were defeated 2-0 by Latvia yesterday evening in their Group F match of the EURO 2012 Qualifiers at the Skonto Stadions in Riga.

Malta started the match without striker Michael Mifsud and Jonathan Caruana.

Latvia started the match pushing to open the score and it arrived on the 32nd minute. Maris Verpakovskis served Aleksejas Visnakovs who then dribbled past the Maltese defenders to shoot the ball past goalkeeper Andre Hogg.

Verpakovskis was unlucky not to double the score near the end of the first half when his effort hit the woodwork.

Malta had a great opportunity to equalise on the 58th minute when Clayton Failla’s shot hit the post, travelled along the goal line and then hit the other post before the ball was cleared by the Latvian defence, luck was definitely not on Malta's side.

On the 83rd minute, Latvia sealed the win by scoring their second goal.

A cross from Visnakovs was not cleared by the Maltese defence to find Artjoms Rudnevs who then placed the ball at the back of the net.