MIKA TRIUMPH IN ARMENIAN CUP
UEFA
May 10 2006
FC MIKA have won their fifth Armenian Cup after Armen Shahgeldyan’s
23rd-minute goal earned them a 1-0 win against FC Pyunik in Tuesday’s
final.
Crucial breakthrough
Both teams made a bright start with plenty of chances in the
opening 15 miutes but it was to be Shahgeldyan who made the crucial
breakthrough. Pyunik defender Rafael Safaryan failed to clear Arsen
Meloyan’s long ball, allowing Shahgeldyan to ghost past Robert
Arzumanyan and score with the outside of his boot.
Other chances
Shahgeldyan had other chances to score later in the game as MIKA made
up for previous defeats against Pyunik in the league, but the Yerevan
side will have more than a few regrets after the game with Agvan
Lazarian, Arsen Avetisyan, Levon Pachahjyan and Tigran Karabagtsyan
all missing good chances.
Final meeting
MIKA and Pyunik are the only two sides to have won the Armenian Cup
since 2000, although this is their first meeting in the final. MIKA
have qualified for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup while
Pyunik will compete in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions
League as reigning Armenian champions.