National coach Pietro Ghedin was not so happy with the outcome of Friday night’s match against Armenia.

Addressing a news conference at the end of the match, he said: “It’s not nice to lose in such a manner, but that is football, after all. I think the goal could have been avoided. It was our only mistake throughout the whole match and we paid for it with the three points lost.”

The Italian went on to say that he could not lament on the players’ performance. “Perhaps we were not up to par with our opponents physically and that is because their league has started some months ago. But I think my players still showed a will to win, without however being successful. “Against a superior team as was Armenia on Friday night, we could not do better than we did in the circumstances. They did not let us think and create. In fact, we rarely had shots on their goal as we were continually pressed to give up the ball. Still, even Armenia had just a few shots at Hogg who was only seriously tested on one occasion apart from the goal and that shot that hit the post,” said Ghedin.

The coach praised Armenia saying they were a strong side. “On Friday they showed why they had collected 17 points in their European Championship Qualifying Group the past two years. They are a compact side which can create difficulties also for the top guns, especially when they play at home,” he added.

Ghedin said something had not functioned well on Friday night. “Looking back at what happened on the field of play, I can say that we were forced to defend, but I would also say that we are still not at 100 per cent with regards to physical fitness. We must definitely improve. It is normal for a side like ours to suffer pressure from a superior team. After all, we were expecting a tough match. But at the end, even if defeated, my boys could leave the pitch with their heads held high,” said the Italian mentor.

Asked whether there will be any changes for Tuesday’s clash against Italy in Modena, Ghedin said the Italy match will be another story. “Our main task now is to provide courage and morale to the players who will be facing the team which was finalist in the recent European Championship. In such a match, we must be serene to try and get the best possible result. We also have to see the condition of all the players. Only then will I be able to consider my selection for Tuesday’s match.”

And asked what he will feel like when hearing the Italian national anthem being played on Tuesday, Ghedin replied: “I cannot deny I am Italian. I was born there, and I know everyone of them at the Federation, where I worked for several years. But at present, I am working here and my task is to see Malta doing well.”

Before leaving the press hall, Ghedin thanked the fans who were at Ta’ Qali on Friday night. “All those who were there encouraged us all the way. I only hope that it will be better for all in future,” he said.