Stifled Serbia slipping out of contention
Saturday 13 October 2007-

Serbia’s UEFA EURO 2008′ qualifying hopes suffered a
major setback as Armenia continued their fine recent
form with a well-earned goalless draw in Yerevan.

Qualification struggle
The result leaves Javier Clemente’s side in fourth
position in Group A with 16 points and three games
left to play, while Armenia are now unbeaten in four
matches having beaten Kazakhstan and Poland and also
drawn with Portugal. Both teams face away trips on
Wednesday, when Serbia travel to Azerbaijan and
Armenia visit Belgium.

Open encounter
The hosts started brighter at the Republican Stadium
and Samvel Melkonyan had the first chance when he
worked his way into the box only to shoot into the
side-netting. At the other end, Serbia’s Marko
Panteliæ had an effort well saved by Roman Berezovsky
and the opportunities continued to come – Melkonyan
broke down the Armenia right and crossed for Artavazd
Karamyan but the midfielder fired wide from close
range.

Chances at both ends
Dejan Stankoviæ was similarly culpable for the
visitors, failing to find the target after latching on
to Panteliæ’s superb through ball, before Zdravko
Kuzmanoviæ was denied by Berezovsky after beating two
players. Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkoviæ was then
called into action for the first time, inadvertently
blocking a close-range Levon Pachajyan attempt with
his face following good work from Karamyan down the
left.

Late openings
Although Serbia had more reason to press for the win,
it was the locals who had the better openings in the
final ten minutes. Karamyan lifted a shot over the bar
at full stretch from five metres after Sargis
Hovsepyan had supplied a low cross. Substitute Aram
Hakobyan passed up a similarly presentable opportunity
with six minutes left, scuffing Pachajyan’s centre
past the post, so both sides had to settle for a
point.

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