UEFA.com
March 26 2005
Armenians made to work
Saturday, 26 March 2005
A second-half goal from Romik Khachatryan was enough to seal victory
for Armenia in the basement encounter with Andorra in FIFA World Cup
qualifying Group 1.
Photo: Armenia’s Artavazd Karamyan battles with Andorra’s Oscar
Sonejee Masand
Good heart
It was Armenia’s first win in the group and, after taking a point
from their last match with Romania, Bernard Casoni’s men will travel
to the Netherlands for their next test on Wednesday night in great
heart having overtaken Andorra on head-to-head record to go sixth.
The performance at the Republican stadium in Yerevan was particularly
impressive as Armenia were missing captain Harutyun Vardanyan and
top-scorer Artur Petrosyan through injury.
Expected goal
It was all Armenia in the first half and it was no surprise when they
took a 32nd-minute lead as FC Stal Alchevsk forward Ara Hakobyan beat
Andorra goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez. The home side then missed a good
chance to extend their lead nine minutes later as midfield player
Artavadz Karamyan’s header just shaved the post. Andorra had only
managed a single shot on target in the first period so it came as
something of a shock when they levelled the score in the 57th minute.
Long-range winner
Justo Ruiz’s powerful free kick hit the post and bounced back to
create havoc in the home penalty area. Fernando Silva was alert to
the opportunity and was first to reach the ball, heading past keeper
Roman Berezovsky. But Armenia were not to be denied and OFI Crete FC
midfield player Khachatryan scored the winner with a spectacular
long-range drive in the 73rd minute. Andorra are next in action on
Wednesday when they play host to the Czech Republic.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress