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Experimental Malta beaten by Armenia in opening match

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  • Experimental Malta beaten by Armenia in opening match

    Experimental Malta beaten by Armenia in opening match

    by SILVIO VELLA


    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. Lazarian, A. Arakelyan
    (K. Alexanyan), A. Voskanyan, L. Pachayvan (K.
    Lazarian), 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.
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