2024-09-22 13:52:25
2014 of the world qualifying round of the championship
Armenia-Malta 0:1 (0:1)
Armenia- Roman Berezovsky, Taron Voskanyan, Robert Arzumanyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Markos Pizeli, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Valery Aleksanyan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Davit Manoyan (Arthur Sarkisov, 66), Edgar Manucharyan (Yura Movsisyan, 46), Aras Ozbilis.
Malta Justin Haber, Jonathan Caruana, Gareth Schieberras (Paul Fenech, 57), Ryan Camilleri, Luke Dimeck, Clayton Failla, Roderick Briffa (Rouane Muscat, 85), Michael Mifsud (Terence Vella, 90+3), Edward Herrera, Andre Schembri, Alex Muscat.
The goal: Mifsud, 8 (0:1).
K. Yerevan, June 7, 2013, “Republican” Stadium.
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Northern Ireland).
Warnings: Roderick Briffa (15), Alex Muscat (45+2), Luke Dimeck (59), Ryan Camellieri (83).
Today, the national football team of Armenia participated in the 2014 World Cup. in the framework of the qualifying round of the championship, hosted the national team of Malta and lost 0:1 in that match held at the “Republican” stadium. By the way, the Maltese had played 5 matches before that and ended all 5 with a defeat with a score of 1-14. The group’s defender made a real surprise in Yerevan, acting with dedication, especially in defense. This was a historic victory for that team. Not only in the sense that he won the away game, not only because he celebrated the first victory in this qualifying round, also not because he won 1:0 in the 5th match against the Armenian national team, having lost by the same score in the previous one. at 4. Malta’s national team won the previous two World Championships in 2010. and did not celebrate any victory in the qualifying rounds of the European championships, recording one draw each and ending up at the bottom of the tournament table with 1 point. The last time that team won in official matches was in 2006. on October 11, winning a 2:1 home match against the Hungarian team. It is very unfortunate that after 6.5 years, in the match against our national team, the Maltese broke the streak of matches without victories.
Returning to today’s game, we consider it necessary to emphasize that the Armenian team had the game and territorial advantage throughout the match. Despite this, the guests’ first counterattack ended with a goal. In the 8th minute, Michael Mifsud, receiving a calculated pass from deep, quickly broke away from the defenders and was alone against the goalkeeper. After his first shot, Roman Berezovsky managed to push the ball back, but it found its way back to Mifsud and the Malta captain opened the scoring. By the way, the Maltese had another chance to stand out in the 20th minute, but fortunately, the header from close range was missed.
Then the Armenian football players took decisive action and besieged the opponent’s penalty area. After Markos’ long-range shot in the 28th minute, Malta’s national team goalkeeper managed to neutralize the threat with difficulty, and in the 44th minute, after Karlen Mkrtchyan’s header, the ball left the field with a slight deviation. After that episode, the stands began to chant: Yu-ra, Yu-ra. In that way, football fans demanded to bring Yura Movsisyan, who was on the bench, into the field.
Yura Movsisyan replaced Edgar Manucharyan after the break, who could not create a free zone in the opponent’s strong defense in the first half. The power in the attack line increased, and our players gradually increased the pressure on the opponent’s goal. Soon, Artur Sarkisov, who scored the winning goal in the first match with the Maltese, also appeared on the field. Sarkisov could have become the hero of the match right after coming on as a substitute, but after his shot, the ball bounced off the goal post. Aras Ozbilis’ long shots were also memorable.
And although the Armenian team attacked throughout the second half, they could not score a single goal. There were shots from close and long range, also headers, but to no avail. It became clear that the team did not have a prescription against a tight defense. We were already convinced of this in the first meetings with the same Maltese, as well as with the Bulgarians. It means that nothing has changed since then, no game combination has been developed that can provide a result.
Thus, our team lost 4 of the 5 matches played in the current round and celebrated 1 victory. And it is especially sad that he lost in all the games played under his own roof.
We should add that before the start of the meeting, a banner with the inscription “We believe and trust, Minasyan” was raised in the tribune. After the game, the football fans only shouted: shame, shame. As you can see, the days of faith have passed, and faith and trust cannot live without results.
Anyway. Our team will hold another official match on June 11, hosting the Danish national team. For now, let’s add that the Armenian national team is in the 5th place with 3 points, leaving behind only the Maltese team, which also has 3 points in its asset.