MALTA 0

ARMENIA 1

Malta: M. Muscat, S. Bajada, B. Said, A. Xuereb, G. Agius (S. Wellman), R. Briffa, E. Barbara (P. Pullicino), I. Woods (A. Cohen), G. Mallia (C. Frendo), R. Fenech (G. Sciberras), R. Bajada (K. Scicluna)

Armenia: M. Azizyan, K. Dokhoyan, R. Arzumanyan, A. Tadeosyan (H. Mkhitaryan), A. Mkrtchyan, A. Arakelyan (K. Alexanyan), A. Voskanyan, L. Pachayvan (K. Mkrtchyan), V. Minasyan, G. Ghazaryan, (A. Hakobyan) S. Melkonyan (N.Sahakyan)

Referee: M. Porisson (Iceland) Asst.refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri 4th official: A. Kulbacov

Scorers: A. Hakobyan

Malta did not make the best of starts to this 14th edition of the International Tournament, going down to modest Armenia with a goal conceded in the second half, after a promising opening and a creditable first half.

The match also failed to attract the crowds at Ta’ Qali, perhaps because of the Carnival festivities in Valletta, and even the noisy and colourful support of the Southend Core was missing, with the game being played against a near-silent backdrop.

Truly, Malta was not at full strength, fielding some new and other inexperienced faces on this first of a three-day tournament, but yesterday our national team lacked the required aggression and punch up front to penetrate the opponents’defence although going close on some occasions. They also appeared short of creative options, especially after falling behind.

Coach Fitzel, as promised, effected no fewer than six substitutions, putting in all players on the bench, except reserve keeper Hogg. That may have unbalanced tactics in the second half as Malta produced a better performance in the first 45 minutes.

Malta’s experimental side, was bereft of our foreign-based players and included two debutants in the first half, Hamrun’s Ryan Fenech and Marsaxlokk’s Shaun Bajada. While the former played in midfield, alongside George Mallia, Ivan Woods and Roderick Bajada, Shaun Bajada was deployed as one of the back four on the left. Sliema’s Roderick Briffa played as full back on the right with Aaron Xuereb, making only his third international appearance, flanking Brian Said as the two central defenders.

Captain Gilbert Agius played in a deep unusual position, in front of the defence, while Etienne Barbara was Malta’s only forward.

The Maltese played some good flowing football and looked good with possession for the first 45 minutes, during which they traded equal punches with their opponents although real goalmouth action remained at a premium for a tepid first half hour.

Barbara showed mobility with his runs up front but found little support as he was left to plough a lone furrow.

The first shot on target came just past the half hour as Roderick Bajada connected on Barbara’s cross but the goalkeeper saved well.

Shortly after, another Agius effort earned Malta a corner and then Barbara fell when he came in contact with Arakelyan inside the area but the referee was not impressed.

With half time looming, Armenia grew dangerous. Pachajyan foraged down the right flank and sent a teasing cross which Agius blocked and keeper Muscat had to rush out to intercept the high ball before Ghazaryan could connect. And on the stroke of halftime, Melkonyan’s shot clipped the bar.

Malta introduced Cohen and Frendo for Woods and Mallia at the start of the second half. Before the hour, Fenech was clear, capitalising on an opponent’s slip but instead of going for goal himself he opted to pass the ball and the chance went to waste.

A Barbara effort took a deflection into a corner as Malta kept up the initiative against organised opponents, who improved in the second half.

On 69 minutes, Malta suffered a setback. Melkonyan, one of Armenia’s best players, started the movement which led to Armenia’s goal as he went inside the Malta area with ease. Muscat rushed out to block at his feet, lost the ball and after substitute Hakobyan’s first effort was blocked by Bajada, he picked the rebound and placed the ball beyond Muscat’s reach.

Malta looked shell shocked and the goal visibly sapped the wind out of their sails.

However they still summoned some effort to move forward, after Barbara and Agius had gone out and Malta continued to make more substitutions, although they lacked genuine conviction.

After substitute Gareth Sciberras put a header off target, Malta came closest to drawing level in the late stages when Armenia looked uncomfortable on some Malta pressure and conceded a corner, kicked by Frendo and headed narrowly wide by another substitute, Kenneth Scicluna.

But by then, the early optimism had dissipated well before the floodlights were turned off at Ta’ Qali as Malta were unable to avoid defeat.