Our national team played to a 1-1 draw with Armenia at the “Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan” in the 5th matchday of Group 2 in League C of the Nations League.
- Fetch is the official sponsor of Alpha Cyprus’s trip to Armenia.
After the match, our national team coach, Akis Mantzios, and our international players gave statements and commented on the game.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The coach’s remarks:
“The players gave it their all against an exceptional team. We could have sealed the game in the first half. Aside from the goal, we hit the crossbar and had several other chances. There’s some disappointment because we could have achieved more. We’ve secured second place. We shouldn’t be disappointed; we should be happy for this national team. Step by step, things will get better. It was what I expected. We played tactically, and we had the speed and pressure we wanted. Iasonas made a good debut, and he deserves it. A big thank you to our fans. There were about 100 people with us; they gave us a boost and strength. In soccer, we’ve seen a lot of things we didn’t expect. We’ll wait and see.”
Statements from international players:
Iasonas Pikis: “I have mixed feelings; I’m happy about my debut and my goal, but also because we secured second place. We’re all very close—we love each other. My coach gave me the opportunity, and I’m trying to prove him right. We’ll go out and give it our all on Sunday against Armenia.”
Grigoris Kastanos: “The mindset has changed; all the players are giving 1000%. The national team has become a family—not just in words but in action. We came here to win; if we’d made it 2-0, we would have won. We finished second, which is a first for us. It pains me that I’m not playing for Hellas Verona because I want to play in every game. I thank the national team coach for believing in me. I want to play so I can inspire the younger players.”
Giorgos Malekkidis: “We came here for the three points so that first place would be in our hands. Now we’re hoping Montenegro slips up. But we’ve at least secured a spot in the playoffs by finishing in second place, so we can achieve something more with this team. We could have scored a second goal, and our opponents created their own chances as well—it was a tough game at this venue. Nevertheless, we held on because the intensity changed, and we’re playing with passion as a team. I’m calling on the fans to fill the “Alphamega Stadium”—we need them to take that extra step.”
