Pyunik close in on Armenian title
Thursday, 15 September 2005

The Armenian Premier League is back in full swing
following a four-week break with the title race
nearing its climax.

League split
The return to action saw the league split in two, with
the top six sides competing in the championship pool
and retaining the points they had accumulated from
playing one other, while the remainder battle it out
in the relegation group.

Pyunik prevail
Championship leaders FC Pyunik have increased their
advantage from five to ten points in just two matches
after their rivals slipped up. Pyunik began with a 5-0
triumph against FC Dinamo-Zenit Yerevan before winning
2-1 against second-placed FC MIKA. MIKA could only
draw their previous game against FC Kilikia thanks to
two penalties from Aghvan Mkrtchian.

Trio missing
However, it was not all good news for Pyunik. Armenia
Under-21 goalkeeper Apoula Edima, midfielder Karl
Lombe and forward Mamadou Diawara failed to return
after the holidays, and it is unclear when – indeed if
– they will return to the Pyunik fold.

Danaev signs
Third-placed FC Banants have also struggled after the
restart, a goalless draw against FC Kotayk preceding a
3-1 home defeat by Kilikia which only strengthened
Pyunik’s title challenge. Banants have released
Moldovan forward Dumitriu Gusila while signing Andrei
Danaev on loan from Ukrainian club FC Stal Alchevsk.

Triple capture
Kotayk, now within one point of third position after a
2-0 victory against Dinamo-Zenit, resumed their
campaign with three new players. Arkadij Chilingaryan
and Karen Navoyan joined from FC Lernayin Artsakh
along with midfielder Nikolay Agasyan whose
Dinamo-Zenit contract had expired.

Relegation issue
In the relegation section, FC Ararat Yerevan and FC
Shirak drew 1-1 in the first leg of their play-off.
Gor Atabekyan’s early goal for Ararat was cancelled
out on 68 minutes by Karen Khachatryan’s penalty for
the hosts. The losing side will face another play-off
against the team finishing second in the first
division to determine whether they preserve top-flight
status.

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