Four-goal Armenia smash Denmark in World Cup qualifier

June 12, 2013 - 09:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia equalled the biggest win in the country's history as they claimed a resounding 4-0 victory against Denmark to deal a huge blow to the hosts' hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.

Armenia striker Yura Movsisyan opened the scoring within 30 seconds of the kickoff after Denmark's Simon Kjaer accidentally passed the ball to him.

Aras Ozbiliz made it 2-0 in the 19th minute, sending his shot past goalkeeper Stephan Andersen after a mistake by an increasingly error-prone Denmark defence.

Movsisyan added Armenia's third goal in the 59th minute, prompting fans to start leaving the Parken stadium. Armenia almost scored again in the 71st minute when Movsisyan's effort beat Andersen, only for William Kvist to make a goalline clearance.

But there was no stopping Henrikh Mkhitaryan from scoring Armenia's fourth in the 81st minute with a powerful left-foot shot.

When Movsisyan, a former striker with Danish club Randers FC, left the pitch in the 83rd minute, the Denmark fans applauded him. To add insult to injury, Armenia leapfrogged Denmark in the standings.

Denmark lies fifth in the six-team Group B with six points from as many games. Group leader Italy has 12 points, Bulgaria 10, Czech Republic nine and Armenia six, sports media reported.