UEFA.com
July 13 2004

Pyunik prove too strong

Armenian champions FC Pyunik have one foot in the second qualifying
round after a convincing 3-1 victory in Skopje tonight against FK
Pobeda of F.Y.R Macedonia.

Hovsepyan dismissed
Edgar Manucharyan was the hero for the visiting side, scoring twice
and making his side’s other goal for Zhora Hovhannisyan. All of this
came in the first half but the last action of note in the opening 45
minutes was the dismissal of Pyunik’s Sargis Hovsepyan. Pobeda were
able to pull one back in the second half but their chances of
progression after the return in Yerevan a week on Wednesday look
slim.

Quickfire start
The 17-year-old Manucharyan looked lively from the opening whistle at
the Gradski stadium. He was nearly on target in the third minute only
for Pobeda goalkeeper Tome Pandev to save what seemed a certain goal.
However, the striker was not to be denied and scored his first 12
minutes later. A long pass from Aghvan Lazarian set Manucharyan
clear and he made no mistake.

Gešoski lift
Much to the relief of the 3,000 home fans, Pobeda found their range
in the 20th minute with Blagoja Gešoski firing just wide from 16
metres. However, the hosts found themselves two behind in the 26th
minute, Manucharyan turning provider for Hovhannisyan to put Pyunik
in command. With five minutes left in the half, Manucharyan added his
second after a defensive mix-up and Pobeda were seemingly on their
way out of the competition before it had barely started.

Shakhtar waiting
However, a second yellow card for Hovsepyan two minutes later gave
Pobeda a lifeline. Yet, despite their man advantage for the entire
second half, the Macedonian title-holders struggled to find a way
back into the contest and it took until the 81st minute for Gešoski
to capitalise on a defensive error and score a consolation for his
side. With a two-goal deficit and a trip to Armenia to come, Pyunik
are well on course to face FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the second
qualifying round.