PORTERFIELD UNABLE TO ASSIST ARMENIA
by Khachik Chakhoyan
uefa.com, Switzerland
Sept 4 2007
Improving Armenia will have to do without coach Ian Porterfield for
their friendly matches against Cyprus on Saturday and against Malta
next Wednesday.
Cancer treatment The 61-year-old Porterfield, whose side have beaten
Kazakhstan, defeated Poland and drawn with Portugal in their last three
UEFA EURO 2008~Y qualifiers, has been readmitted to a London hospital
where he is undergoing treatment for colon cancer. He will be replaced
by assistant coaches Tom Jones and Vardan Minasyan. The Scot, who
scored the winning goal for Sunderland AFC in the 1973 FA Cup final,
was in the dugout for Armenia’s 1-1 draw with Portugal on 22 August.
Squad reshuffle Goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky, striker Robert Zebelyan
and midfielder Hamlet Mkhitaryan will also be absent for the team’s
two matches. FC Ulis Yerevan custodian Mayis Azizyan has been brought
in to provide cover, with forwards Ara Hakobyan and Arsen Avetisyan
also recalled.
FC Banants defender Hovhannes Grigoryan, meanwhile, has received his
first call-up. Players eligible for Under-21 duty have been overlooked.
Armenia squad Goalkeepers: Feliks Hakobyan (FC MIKA), Mayis Azizyan
(FC Ulis Yerevan).
Defenders: Robert Arzumanyan (FC Pyunik), Karen Dokhoyan (FC Pyunik),
Sargis Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik), Aleksandr Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik),
Egishe Melikyan (FC Banants), Vahagn Minasyan (FC Ararat Yerevan),
Ararat Arakelyan (FC Banants), Hovhannes Grigoryan (FC Banants).
Midfielders: Agvan Lazarian (FC Pyunik), Romik Khachatryan (FC
Universitatea Cluj), Artavazd Karamyan (FC Politehnica 1921 Stiinta
Timiºoara), Levon Pachajyan (FC Pyunik), Artur Minasyan (FC Ararat
Yerevan), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants), Artur Voskanyan (FC Ararat
Yerevan).
Forwards: Arman Karamyan (FC Politehnica 1921 Stiinta Timiºoara),
Arsen Avetisyan (FC Pyunik), Ara Hakobyan (FC Zimbru Chisinau).
–Boundary_(ID_/gEJTcq/zQnGrl2w1g5GrQ) —