Malta’s lively performance against Italy went down well with most of the fans despite the 0-1 upset but coach Pietro Ghedin was subjected to some fierce criticism after the media reported that, in the post-match news conference, he remarked that “defeat was like a victory” after the team had to battle on with 10 men following the first-half dismissal of captain Michael Mifsud.

The general feeling was that Ghedin’s comment was unwarranted as it reflected a defeatist mentality while others argued that the national coach made the comment in the context of Malta’s disciplined performance in the face of adversity.

Fielding a question about the controversy surrounding his post-match comment, Ghedin said that, while he accepts criticism, his remark was taken out of context.

“Criticisms are accepted,” Ghedin contended.

“The comment was made in the context of the Italy game but it was not like that. After such battling display, I felt it was appropriate to reiterate my faith in our players.

“A defeat is always a defeat, there’s not a shade of doubt about that but it’s also my duty to offer courage to the players after a game in which they left the pitch with heads held high and applauded by the fans.

“A 0-1 result can never be described as a win but the feeling after the game was that Malta had played very well in those circumstances.

“Maybe some articles or comments were motivated by rancour but I don’t want to lose more time on this.

“I’m serene. I accept criticism.”