Armenia loses 2:1 vs. Ireland, finishes 3rd in Group B

 October 12, 2011 - 00:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia, reduced to a 10-member squad started the 2nd half of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier vs. Ireland with a losing 1:0 score.

Ireland, feeling confident after the 1st half, started an attacking game, with Armenia showing more strain and non-coordination. 59 minutes into the game, Dunne doubled Ireland's lead. Armenia hopes were restored 3 minutes later, when Mkhitaryan scored a goal, beating Given with a low shot from the edge of the box.

With nothing left to lose, Armenia coach resolved to adopt a more offensive strategy, Manucharyan, Movsisyan, Sarkisov and Mkhitarian showing an impressive attacking performance.

Ireland was playing for time for the rest of the match, with Doyle shown a second yellow card for leading with his elbow in an aerial challenge. However, the final whistle went, calling the 2:1 final score of the match.

Whatever the score, Armenia's will to win was unquestionable, while Ireland, although with outnumbering squad, was not too persuasive.

Thus, Ireland gained 21 points to secure 2nd spot in Group B; Russia won Group B leadership, having crushed Andorra 6:0. Armenia is placed 3rd with 17 points, the country's highest score in qualifiers for the first time in its football history.