Armenia climbed 40 places in FIFA Rankings in 2010Armenia won 3 out of 7 matched during the outgoing year. Armenia climbed 40 places in FIFA Rankings in 2010, finishing 60th with 515 points. December 29, 2010 PanARMENIAN.Net - Vardan Minasyan was appointed chief coach in February, to head the national team through 7 matches, 3 of which ended in a victory. Armenia played 3 friendly matches, beating Uzbekistan and losing to Belarus and Iran. The UEFA EURO 2012 qualification round stated for Armenia with a match against Ireland. Despite the tension that fettered the team at the beginning, gave way to a confident and stubborn struggle. Armenian players were quick and active but let through a goal in the 76th minute, to end the match 0-1. Three days later Armenia tied a match v Macedonia in Skopje, winning the first point in the round. The triumph came in the match against Slovakia, when Armenia took the initiative to score a 3-1 victory, and was crowned in a match v Andorra. Thanks to these victories, Armenia finished the year 2010 in the 3rd place on Group B with 7 points to rival Russia, the Group leader, in 2011. FC Puinik midfielder Karlen Mkrtchyan was named the best footballer. Vardan Minasyan was announced the best coach. Players sharing impressions Forward Edgar Manucharyan says that the match against Ireland was the hardest. “Many think that we will not be able to overcome the qualification round but I disagree. The most important task is to show good football in the matches against Russia. Gevorg Ghazaryan thanks the fans for strong support. “We will do our outmost to justify their expectations,” he says. Fullback Artak Yedigaryan doesn’t like to make forecasts but promises to do his best for his team to play in 2012 European Championship. “We took a good start and will continue the same way,” he is confident. Gohar Nalbandyan, Hasmik Babayan / PanARMENIAN News Most popular in the section Olympic medals and courageous victories Hard training path Story worth reading When weakness is not a verdict More articles in this section Henrikh, the son of Hamlet Glorious path of Armenian football star The way to championship Armenian athletes tell about struggle for medals Armenian wrestlers share impressions on European Championship Armenia's Greco-Roman wrestling team headed by Olympic champion Levon Julfalakyan came back home with one gold and two bronze winners. | Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |