Futsal – Brave Malta hit back to draw 3-3 against Armenia

The Malta futsal team produced a much-improved performance in their second friendly match against Armenia at the National Sport School, hitting back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3. Determined to bounce back from their disappointing defeat in Thursday’s first friendly, the Maltese team upped their game and showed great resilience throughout, making it hard for Armenia. Armenia took a 2-0 first-half lead with goals from Sarò Galstya, from a penalty, and Garegin Mashumyan. Karl Sciortino pulled one back for Malta with a powerful shot following a solo effort but Armenia restored their two-goal lead nine minutes into the second half with a goal from Mamikon Voskanyan. Despite being two goals down, the Maltese team, led by coach Vic Hermans, kept going. Their fightback produced the desired rewards as Malta netted twice in the closing stages. A flowing move by the Maltese team saw Carl Azzopardi deliver an intelligent pass to Firas Aboulezz who tapped home from close range. Moments later, Malta equalised when Jovica Milijic’s drive sailed into the path of Azzopardi who headed home from close range. MALTAStarting V: Clint Mifsud, Karl Sciortino, Carl Azzopardi, Jovica Milijic, Firas Aboulezz .Substitutes: Brandon Debono, Giancarlo Sammut, Andre Ciancio, Kurt Bartolo Armando Gjepali, Aaron Montebello, Neil Cauchi, Aidan Micallef. ARMENIAStarting V: Eder De Souza Oliveira, Sarò Galstyan, Victor Martins De Souza, Garegin Mashumyan, Kelson Vincius De Campos.Substitutes: Sarkis Askadjian, Hakor Uzunyan, Sargis Nasiryan, Gamlet Manukian, Sargis Margaryan, Henrique Costa Da Silva, Andranik Karapetyan, David Aslanian, Mamikon Voskanyan. Referees: David Balzan, Pierre Bonnici, Marco La Rosa. Time Keeper: Antonio Cassar