Malta suffer narrow defeat against Armenia

Malta suffered an narrow defeat at the hands of Armenia in the first of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification Matches.

8 September 2012, 12:00am

1 min read

Substitute Artur Sarkisov scored the all impotant goal in the 70th minute anticpating Malta defender to slot the ball home after receiving a low cross from the left flank.

Armenia were the better side througout the match creating the best chances. Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was in top for to keep the scoreline low.

Armenia managed to take the lead on the 70th minute when off a cross by Movsisyan, substitute Artur Sarkisov beat goalkeeper Andrew Hogg with his shot to give his team the lead.

Malta now will face Italy next Tuesday at the stadio Alberto Braglia in Modena. Italy will want to get back to winning ways after they played to a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria.

Malta: A. Hogg, A. Muscat, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, L. Dimech, D. Bogdanovic, R. Briffa (86 S. Bajada), M. Mifsud, A. Cohen ( 75 R. Fenech), A. Schembri, S. Borg.

Armenia: G. Kasparov, S. Hovsepyan, R. Arzumanyan (80 V. Aleksanyan), H. Mkoyan, A. Yedigaryan (53 D. Manoyan), H. Mkhitaryan, L. Airapetian, A. Ozbiliz, M. Pizzelli (65 A. Sarkisov), Y. Movsisyan.

Referee Rene Aisner (Austria).