UEFA
June 23 2005
Football Europe: Pyunik set punishing pace
/noticias.info/ FC Pyunik are pulling clear of the chasing pack in
Armenia having dropped just four points in their opening nine Premier
League games.
Reinforcements due
However, they are keen to make reinforcements ahead of their UEFA
Champions League qualifying campaign. Pyunik missed a host of chances
in their 1-0 win at FC Dinamo-Zenit Yerevan on 12 June, but were more
convincing in beating FC Lernayin Artsakh 3-1 at home four days
later.
Coaching change
FC Banants are in second place, four points behind, and this week
parted company with coach Hovhannes Zanazanyan after some
disappointing displays. The board accepted Zanazanyan’s resignation
and his former assistant Ashot Barsegyan has taken charge.
MIKA signing
One point adrift of Banants, FC MIKA have boosted their hopes of a
European finish by signing striker Armen Shahgeldyan who had been
playing league football in Lebanon. One of MIKA’s leading scorers
last season, he celebrated his return with a winning goal against FC
Ararat Yerevan on 15 June.
Ararat stranded
Ararat are stranded at the foot of the table after a difficult start.
Financial problems have dogged the club and they look insipid going
forward. They managed to score in their opening UEFA Intertoto Cup
game against Neuchtel Xamax FC but could not prevent the Swiss team
winning 3-1.
Relegation group
With the bottom three sides entering a relegation play-off group at
the midway point of the season, the three clubs above Ararat – FC
Shirak, Dinamo-Zenit and Lernayin Artsakh – will be keen to improve.
As yet, there has been little to separate them in terms of quality.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress