No problems

Referee and assistants

The referees team had an easy game on their hands. Mr. Paixao was very relaxed, didn't whistle too much and didn't get in the way of players. Unfortunately, the last five minutes diminished his all-out performance as there some blunders on his part. The players themselves helped a lot, as they behaved in a friendly manner. The assistant referees were the weaker link. Mr. Tome raised his flag in minute 16' for what seemed to be a clear offside of four Maltese forwards, but the replay showed us an Israeli defender playing them onside. The conclusion: Malta were robbed of a goal-scoring opportunity. At the other end, the experienced Mr. Cardinal, was caught napping in minute 83'. thus "compensating" the Maltese with a goal-scoring opportunity, but Mifsud (in an offside position) miskicked.