Armenian football: one defeat, one victory

Armenian football: one defeat, one victory

Review of June 2-9 sports events.

The long-awaited Armenia-Russia UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier finally took place but unfortunately ended in defeat of the Armenian team. The first goal of the match that was scored by midfielder Marcos Pizzelli was followed by Roman Pavlyuchenko’s hat-trick.

PanARMENIAN.Net - However, despite the defeat, Armenians were more professional and pressing than during the first match in Yerevan.

Russia coach Dick Advocaat admitted that Armenia had an advantage over his team. “In Mrach, my men were in a better shape. Of course, we are pleased with the results of this match, but it was not our best game. We just had to win,” he said.

Armenia coach Vardan Minasyan commented: “When the score was 1-1, the game was equal. But our rivals had a better luck. On the whole, we still lack experience. All our players are 20-22, except for Berezovky and Hovsepyan. The most important thing now is to move forward.

On his Facebook page, forward Yura Movsisyan thanked all the fans who supported Armenia in the match. “The world witnessed how Armenia can play, and we went to Russia only for victory,” Movsisyan said, thanking for the support and words of encouragement.

French referee Stéphane Lannoy confessed that the penalty in the 73rd minute of the match was a mistake.

“It was a hurtful defeat, as we were the first to score a goal. As for the penalty, we have already seen the video recording, and it is evident that I did not violate the rules. We are not in the worst mood. It could have been better, if we won,” Armenia captain Sargis Hovsepyan said.

Thus, Armenia is 4th in Group B with 8 points. Ireland, Russia and Slovakia have 13 points. The next match Armenia will play against Andorra on September 2.

Three days after the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, Armenia U21 smashed Montenegro 4-1 in Yerevan-hosted EURO 2013 qualifier. Although Halfback Artak Aleksanyan was handed 2 yellow cards in the first half of the game, the numerical disadvantage didn’t prevent a 10-member squad from making the best of the match by scoring 3 more goals. The only goal for the rival team was scored by Montenegro captain Stefan Nicolic.

Forward Gevorg Badalyan said it was “an excellent game.” “We spared no effort to win. It was a worthy victory against a strong rival,” Badalyan said.

Halfback Masis Voskanyan was less appreciative of the rivals’ skills. “Montenegro were no match for us. We just did whatever we wanted. We’ll be struggling through every match to make it to EURO 2013,” he said.

Midfielder Edgar Malakyan, who scored two goals in the match, said the team were extremely concentrated, what helped achieve a perfect result. “Our coach gave very good instructions for the match. Our rivals were very strong, but we managed to win due to our desire for victory,” Malakyan said.

Armenia U21 has 3 points, like Montenegro and Wales. The next match against Andorra is scheduled for September 3.

Gohar Nalbandyan, Hasmik Babayan / PanARMENIAN News
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