Spirited performance not enough for Malta futsal team

ARMENIA 3MALTA     1 The Malta futsal team wrapped up their commitments in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup Preliminary Group E, played in Alingsas, Sweden, with a 3-1 defeat against Armenia. The Maltese team produced a spirited performance against a physical Armenia side but the sustained pressure and resilience by our players, especially in the second half, were not enough to overcome the deficit after the opponents had taken an early 2-0 lead. Armenia went 2-0 up in the first six minutes through Saro Galstyan and Sargis Margaryan. Malta rallied to reduce the deficit through Andy Mangion 57 seconds into the second half. This goal lifted Maltese optimism as the red-shirted players upped their efforts in search of an equaliser. However, some erratic play by the Malta led to Armenia’s third and final goal, scored by Edvard Mkrtchyan midway through the second half. Late in the game, coach Vic Hermans used Matthew Attard as a flying keper but Armenia kept their composure to fend off Malta's increasing pressure. MALTA'S STARTING FORMATIONClint Mifsud (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Jovica Milijic (Valletta FC Futsal), Andy Mangion (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Mark Zammit (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Neil Cauchi (UoM Students Futsal). OTHER PLAYERSStefan Vella (Valletta FC Futsal), George Frendo (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Matthew Attard (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Karl Sciortino (Pietà Hotspurs Futsal), Lee Grech (UoM Students Futsal), Shataizan Zarb (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Andrè Ciancio (Valletta FC Futsal), Rennie Tanti (Birkirkara Futsal) Giancarlo Sammut (Luxol St Andrews Futsal).