A soft goal scored with a low shot from the edge of the area, punished Hamrun Spartans yesterday in Yerevan, on their return to european football after a 30year wait.

Coach Branko Nisevic fielded a re-furbished Hamrun side, with the inclusion of six new foreign signings, local signing Ryan Camenzuli and the return of midfield maestro Matthew Guillaumier.

The match was a balanced affair with the Spartans growing in composure especially in the second half.

With some luvk and more determination in front of goal the Spartans could have snatched a positive result in Armenia.

The qualification issue is wide open, even if it is not going to be easy for the Spartans, who however left a good impression in their seasonal debut.

FC Alashkert: O. Cancarevic, B. Diaz (I. Fofana 59’), T. Galvao (S. Metoyan 46’), A. Grigoryan, B. Hovhannisyan (R. Hovsepyan 46’), James, D. Kadio, D. Khurtsidze (A. Karapetyan 80’), T. Cameta, T. Voskanyan, A. Yedigaryan

Ħamrun S.: H. Bonello, B. Ederson (I. Nedelkjovic 63’) , S. Borg, M. Guillaumier, E. Mashike, D. Soares (M. Fedele 90’), O. Bjelicic, J. Corbalan (K. Micallef 76’), Jonny (R. Prsa 63’), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli

Scorer: A. Yedigaryan 24’ (A)

Referee: Vassillis Fotias (Greece)