WORLD CUP: ARMENIA WIN 3-0 AT ANDORRA
The Associated Press
10/12/05 12:08 EDT
ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra (AP) – Second-half goals by Aram Hakobian
and Ara Hakobian helped Armenia to a 3-0 victory over Andorra in the
teams’ final World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
Andorra’s Oscar Sonejee turned a cross past his own goalkeeper Koldo
Alvarez in the 39th minute to give Armenia a 1-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Andorra defender Ildefons Lima was ejected for
spitting at an opponent.
Armenia doubled its lead in the 52nd when Aram Hakobian volleyed in
at the far post following a swiftly taken corner.
Ara Hakobian added a third in style 10 minutes later by dribbling
through Andorra’s defense before smashing the ball home.
Armenia finished next-to-last in Group 1 with seven points, two ahead
of Andorra.
Despite coming last, Andorra has enjoyed its most successful qualifying
campaign. A year ago, the minnow downed Macedonia 1-0 at home to record
its first ever victory in the World Cup or European Championship. It
also drew in Macedonia and at home to Finland.
Lineups:
Andorra: Koldo Alvarez; Josep Ayala, Ildefons Lima, Antoni Lima, Javi
Sanchez, Gabi Riera (Manolo Jimenez, 82), Justo Ruiz, Antoni Sivera
(Juli Sanchez, 18), Oscar Sonejee, Marc Bernaus, Marcio Vieira (Ludo
Clemente, 56).
Armenia: Gevorg Kasparov; Valeriy Alexanian (Samvel Melkonian, 77),
Karen Alexanian, Robert Arzumanian, Karen Dokhoyan, Romik Khachatrian,
Alexander Tadevossian, Eghishe Melikian, Hamlet Mkhitarian (Arthur
Voskanian, 82), Ara Hakobian, Aram Hakobian (Aram Voskanian, 80)