Lithuania satisfied as San Marino rue start

• Lithuania coach Igoris Pankratjevas has mixed feelings after opening 2-0 win in San Marino
• Second goalscorer Arvydas Novikovas declares: "We deserved to win"
• Home coach Pierangelo Manzaroli rues a slow start, conceding on five minutes
• José Adolfo Hirsch proud to make San Marino debut despite the defeat

Igoris Pankratjevas, Lithuania coach
We played better in the first half, when we were able to score twice. The first one, which came after less than five minutes, particularly helped us to manage the game and start off with three points.

The second half was more difficult, not least because San Marino had nothing to lose and created some problems for us. We weren't tired, simply we had to manage a different mental situation in which we were leading 2-0 and it's easy to relax in that situation. We cannot talk about our target after the first match, we'll go step by step and see what happens.

Arvydas Novikovas, Lithuania goalscorer
We deserved to win, it was very important to start on the right foot. Third place is our target, we cannot kid ourselves.

Pierangelo Manzaroli, San Marino coach
We were under a lot of pressure in our first European Qualifier. Starting with a match when you expect something more than just a good performance, it is not easy – especially if there are so many players making their debut.

We prepared very well for this game but we failed in our first target: staying on level terms for as long as possible. We weren't able to keep up in the first half and we were outdone by their ball possession and speed.

In the second half we were more compact and skilful, creating some good chances and taking risks. What a pity about the lack of courage in the very first minutes.

José Adolfo Hirsch, San Marino forward
It's a great feeling to wear the shirt of my national team for the first time – I worked very hard to achieve this. We played a good game, but we conceded a goal too quickly and the match ended there.