Mkhitaryan proves Armenia’s heroTuesday 17 November 2009
Armenia secured their first win in 2011 UEFA European Under-21
Championship qualifying thanks to Henrik Mkhitaryan’s hat-trick
against the Republic of Ireland.
Mkhitaryan feat
Both these sides had yet to taste victory in Group 2, although Ireland
had
drawn four of five games and Armenia just the one. However, a depleted
Republic team were breached by Mkhitaryan on the half-hour and he
added a second on 61 minutes. Cillian Sheridan pulled one back, only
for Hovhannes Goharyan’s fine goal to be followed by a Mkhitaryan
penalty.
Spirits raised
There had been frustration for both countries on Saturday when Armenia
conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Estonia, and Ireland were
similarly levelled late on in Georgia, in 1-1 draws. Yet Armenian
spirits were raised here when Mkhitaryan danced past three defenders
and his superb shot opened the scoring.
Victory sealed
Just past the hour, the 20-year-old from Ukrainian club FC Metalurh
Donetsk applied a powerful finish to Edgar Malakyan’s cross, but four
minutes later Sheridan gave Ireland hope by heading in James O’Shea’s
centre. With a quarter-hour to go Goharyan struck from 20 metres to
make it 3-1 and after Malakyan was felled in the box, Mkhitaryan
completed his treble. Armenia duly moved ahead of their visitors and
into fifth place on head-to-head record, before the sides’ rematch in
Ireland on 2 March.