Armenia
2 – 1
Belgium
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Match report by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan
Armenia won their first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying game, with
goals from Hovhannes Goharyan and Sargis Hovsepyan ending Belgium’s
finals dream and, as a result, Frank Vercauteren’s reign as coach.
Theoretical chance
The visitors kicked off with a theoretical chance of finishing second
in Group 5 and threatened to make an early breakthrough when Igor De
Camargo shot just over, but Armenia responded on the counterattack,
with Arman Karamyan just failing to profit from Goharyan’s wonderful
through ball. The 20-year-old Goharyan then opened the scoring on 23
minutes, converting a rebound for his first international goal after
Jean-François Gillet could only parry Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s powerful shot.
Captain strikes
Timmy Simons came close to scoring an own goal as the first half came
to an end, and Belgium’s torment continued five minutes after the
interval, with Armenia captain Hovsepyan beating three defenders
before scoring with a precise shot. The hosts allowed Belgium
possession thereafter as they looked
to protect their lead. Substitute Tom De Sutter and Daniel Van Buyten
both fired off-target and Gevorg Kasparov made a reflex save from De
Camargo four minutes from time.
Coach quits
Van Buyten’s added-time effort scant consolation for Belgium and
Vercauteren promptly resigned, explaining: "When you think you cannot
teach a team anything any more, when you think it’s hopeless, you have
to quit." The 52-year-old had been in the role on an interim basis
since April following René Vandereycken’s dismissal. Dick Advocaat is
due to take the reins on 1 January 2010.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
