Kitoko sees off Malta

A solitary strike from Ritchie Kitoko was enough for Belgium to open their 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a win against a Malta side that ended the Group 8 game with ten men.

Deserved lead
Malta looked bereft of ideas for much of the match and could have few complaints at falling behind on 33 minutes. A defensive lapse in the home defence allowed Kitoko to pounce and pave the way for a dominant display from Belgium. Influential captain Tyron Farrugia did help to drag Malta back into the game, but late chances for substitute Benjamin Camilleri fell by the wayside and the visitors held on for all three points.

Baldacchino dismissed
Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was shown a second yellow card and a subsequent red three minutes into added time by which time victory had already been secured for Belgium. The win leaves them second in Group 8, level on points with leaders Slovenia and third-placed Ukraine, who have all played once, while Malta are bottom and without a goal or a point from three defeats against those sides.