Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/487054
maltatoday, Sunday, 29 March 2015 33 Sport football SPORTTODAY Malta made their task more dif- ficult going a goal down after just four minutes in a Group H clash between two teams who were yet to register a win. Despite our well known limitations, our boys fought out a resilient battle in the second half in search of an equaliser but a stoppage-time goal from sub- stitute Dmitri Nazarov shattered their hopes of gaining something from this qualifier at the tofig Bahramov Stadium. azerbaijan, set on registering their first points after four consecu- tive defeats, had been the better side in the opening half as Malta were finding it extremely difficult to get going against a physically superior side. a much improved approach to the game saw our side create some dan- gerous chances, especially in the latter parts of the game, but as it of- ten happens, going down to an early goal meant they were left with an uphill task against a more equipped but unimpressive azerbaijan team. alfred Effiong had his first start for Malta after a positive showing as a second half substitute against Georgia, partnering andre Schem- bri in attack. Roderick Briffa captained the team in the absence of Michael Mifsud, while Paul Fenech and goalkeeper andrew Hogg were also back in the starting formation after missing Wednesday's friendly. azerbaijan went on the offensive from the start, going in front after just four minutes. Namik alaskarov ran towards the byline down the right before sending in a menacing cross that was headed in by Qara- bag team-mate Cavid Huseynov. Malta were stunned with their dis- mal start but had a great chance to equalise when Schembri's through- ball landed at the feet of Effiong who managed to run through the oppos- ing defenders but the debutant's curling effort was pushed away by Kamran agayev, the azerbaijan goalkeeper. after that initial setback, Malta began to see more of the ball but the hosts remained in control. Midway into the first half, afran Ismayilov ran clear on the left with pace before picking out Vuqar Na- dirov who turned but the Qarabag forward sent his shot over the bar. Hogg then blocked a low shot from Huseynov. another azeri attack on the left unlocked the Maltese defence as Huseynov, cutting in from the wing, released Nadirov inside the box but the latter's weak effort was hooked away by Ryan Camilleri. the Malta defender made way for Zach Muscat nine minutes from half-time after picking up a minor injury. Just before half-time, azerbaijan threatened again when Ismayilov's corner sailed dangerously into the box but Gurbanov headed over. Eleven minutes into the second half, Maksim Medvedev surged for- ward with the ball through the mid- dle but his shot was too central to trouble Hogg. a free-kick by agius, was blocked by the azerbaijan wall. the loose ball was picked up by Zach Muscat who managed to produce a cross from the left towards Effiong but the latter wasted his attempt at the far post. Effiong, who was working tireless- ly for his team, went for goal after winning possession outside the box but his effort finished desperately high. a moment of uncertainty in the Maltese defence almost handed az- erbaijan a goal as the ball was inter- cepted by Nadirov but his shot was pushed away by Hogg. Schembri had a low effort saved by agayev after the Omonia striker was released by Briffa. the Malta captain released a through-ball to Effiong who tried to go past Badavi Ghuseynov but the azerbaijan defender held firm. Paul Fenech's header was then saved by agayev. Malta plucked up courage. With seven minutes left, Caru- ana's diagonal pass was deflected into the path of Pisani who turned but his low shot lacked power. the azeris were let off the hook when Ryan Fenech's corner, from the right, sailed past a clutch of players as azerbaijan thought that the ball was going wide only to come off the near post. azerbaijan sealed the points in stoppage time when substitute Dmitri Nazarov beat Hogg with an excellent shot. Malta succumb to azerbaijan after conceding early goal Italy coach antonio Conte has received death threats from angry Juventus fans who blame his training methods for the in- jury that will probably rule mid- fielder Claudio Marchisio out for the rest of the season. Marchisio suffered ruptured knee ligaments during the warm-up for Friday's Italy's training session ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier against Bul- garia yesterday and returned to the Serie a leaders for treat- ment. "I saw him (Conte) shaken this morning," Italian football fed- eration (FIGC) president Carlo tavecchio told Radio Rai yester- day. "after yesterday's contro- versy, he received death threats on the internet.'' "I met with Conte for a long time and he is not calm. all these things have been said on social networks and he feels vilified for something that is not his fault. the FIGC stands by him." Conte was criticised by John Elkann, the president of the holding company which con- trols FIat and Juventus, who said the Italy coach worked the players too hard during the na- tional team's training camps. "Perhaps he'd like to be re- membered as the cherry-picker with the highest number of in- juries," Elkan was quoted as say- ing in Italian media. Former Juventus coach Conte, however, defended his working methods. "I wonder why Elkann didn't ask me that when I was at Ju- ventus? We don't work hard, we work well," the 45-year-old told a news conference in Sofia ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier. "His (Marchisio's) injury was absurd and inexplicable. He hurt himself while warming up, running without the ball," added Conte. Italian media reported on Sat- urday that Conte was reconsid- ering his position as Italy coach after the death threats. the Italian Fa was not imme- diately available to comment. In February, Conte dismissed speculation he wanted to quit the Italy job after Serie a clubs refused to release players for a training camp. Italy have won three matches and drawn one to sit second on 10 points in Group H, be- hind Croatia on goal difference. Bulgaria are fourth with four points. Italy coach Antonio Conte receives death threats after Marchisio injury azerbaijan registered their first three points in Group h of the European Qualifiers, beating Malta 2-0 in Baku Malta's Alfred Effiong tries to run through opponent's defence