The Malta Futsal team wrapped up their commitments in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup Preliminary Group E at the Estrad Alingsås in Alingsås , 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 Clint Mifsud, Jovica Milijic, Andy Mangion, Mark Zammit, Neil Cauhi.
Stefan Vella, George Frendo, Matthew Attard, Karl Sciortino, Lee Grech, Shataizan Zarb, Andre Ciancio, Rennie Tanti, Giancarlo Sammut.

ARMENIA Deivid Chaves, Saro Mardanyan, Saro Galstyan, Andranik Karapetyan, Sargis Margaryan.
Hakob Uzunyan, Davit Sujyan, Gor Sargsyan, Sargis Nasibyan, Garegin Mashumyan, Edgar Kirakosyan, Khachatur Mikayelyan, Edvard Mkrtchyan.