ARMENIA STUN POLES AS ISRAEL WIN AGAIN
Massimo Marzocchi
Scotsman, UK
June 7 2007
POLAND lost valuable points in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign
when they suffered a shock Group A defeat in Armenia.
Hamlet Mkhitaryan fired a free kick into the top corner beyond Celtic
goalkeeper Artur Boruc in the 70th minute to give the home team their
second win in seven games.
Former Aberdeen and Chelsea manager Ian Porterfield, who took over
Armenia’s national team less than 10 months ago, hailed the victory
as one of the biggest in the history of the former Soviet republic.
"It is a great day for Armenian football," the 61-year-old Scot,
who returned to the job in March after battling intestinal cancer,
told a news conference.
"The whole team played well but I want to say special thanks to
goalscorer Hamlet Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov. They
deserve special praise."
Despite the defeat, the Poles still lead Group A with 19 points from
nine matches, five points ahead of both Portugal and Serbia, who have
two games in hand each, with Finland also on 14 from eight games.
Israel maintained the pressure on England by moving to the top of
Group E – albeit for a few hours – with a 2-0 victory over Andorra
at a rain-drenched Estadi Comunal.
With Russia and Croatia meeting later, Dror Kashtan’s men took full
advantage with goals from Toto Tamuz and Roberto Colautti either side
of half-time sending them to a second win in four days – the first
a 2-1 victory over FYR Macedonia in Skopje.
Striker John Carew scored two goals and set up a third as Norway
crushed Hungary 4-0 in Group C.
Veteran striker Steffen Iversen gave Norway the perfect start when
he headed in Martin Andersen’s corner in the 21st minute.
After the break Carew worked hard to outmanoeuvre Hungary’s advancing
goalkeeper Zoltan Vegh, neatly passing the ball back to Daniel Braaten
who scored into the empty net from 20 yards.
The towering striker scored his first goal from short range after a
precise through ball from Andersen and capped off the night in the
78th minute with a nice turn after a pass from Liverpool defender
John Arne Riise.
Norway now have 13 points from seven games, level with Turkey and
Bosnia, who were playing at home to Malta later, and three behind
group leaders Greece before their match at home to Moldova.
This article:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
