Armenia causes shock with victory over Belgium in Football World CupSeptember 10, 2009 - 02:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia caused a shock with their first victory in World Cup qualifying Group Five as goals from Hovhannes Goharyan and Sargis Hovsepyan saw off Belgium.Armenia ended Belgium's World Cup hopes when they beat the visitors 2-1 on Wednesday. Prior to this evening's game in Yerevan the hosts had only taken one point from seven previous games in the group and still remain a point behind Estonia in the fight to avoid the wooden spoon. Bayern Munich defender Daniel van Buyten pulled one back for Belgium in second-half stoppage time but it was not enough to prevent the 1986 World Cup semi-finalists' miserable campaign sinking to a new low. Belgium made the better start and Standard Liege forward Igor de Camargo was the first to go close before the hosts carved out their first opportunity in the 17th minute. Goharyan played in Arman Karamyan who advanced through on Jean-Francois Gillet, and the goalkeeper did enough to turn his close-range effort onto the post. The chance gave Armenia confidence and BATE Borisov forward Goharyan put them in front six minutes later when he fired in a rebound after Gillet had parried Henrykh Mkhitaryan's shot. The home team could have added a second before the break, with captain Hovsepyan missing the best of the chances they created between scoring the opener and the half-time whistle blowing. Pyunik player Hovsepyan made amends in style by doubling Armenia's lead five minutes into the second period. Belgium finally stepped up their efforts but Van Buyten and Tom de Sutter missed good opportunities to halve the deficit. Gevorg Kasparov did brilliantly to save a close-range header from De Camargo in the 86th minute before Van Buyten scored right at the death, too late to rescue even a point. It was an incredible result for Armenia, who had only scored three goals in their previous seven qualifiers. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |