In his first appearance for Dan Petrescu’s Kuban Krasnodar Armenian international Marcos Pizzelli (Մարկոս Պիզզելլի) strike before the break was enough to lead his side past Rubin Kazan 1-0 in match-day thirty-five of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

In their trip south the normally defensively solid Rubin Kazan found themselves under attack early with Lacina Traoré, Gigi Bucur and Marcos Pizzelli a constant thorn in their plans. Rubin Kazan goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov did well to dispel the hosts advances until the forty-third minute when a cross from the left rattled loose in the area before Marcos Pizzelli rifled it into the net from twelve metres.

Rubin’s effort to find the equaliser met the staunch defending wall of the Kuban Krasnodar. In the final half-hour Rubin manager Alan Kasaev summoned former Newcastle man Oba Martins, Vladimir Dyadyun and Alan Kasaev but rarely did his side suggest venom going forward. Though was Kuban Krasnodar was unable to expand on their lead with a number of solid chances with the final whistle they laid claim to the full three points via a 1-0 victory.

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In a match that will be remembered for an intensely controversial decision, Armenia’s valiant charge in Euro 2012 qualification ended as Vardan Minasyan’s (Վարդան Մինասյան) side fell 2-1 to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. With the result, the Republic of Ireland claims second spot behind Russia in Group B and a playoff berth whilst Armenia finishes a close third.

Coming off the victory over Macedonia, the Armenian manager readied his charges with two changes to his starting eleven as he summoned Hrayr Mkoyan (Հրայր Մկոյան), and Edgar Malakyan (Էդգար Մալաքյան) for Arthur Yuspashyan (Արթուր Յուսպաշյան; Arthur Yedigaryan (Արթուր Եդիգարյան).

With a spot in the playoffs at stake early play was tight until the twenty-sixth minute when a refereeing decision recalled shades of the Thierry Henry-affair that thwarted Irish hopes in the most recent World Cup but in this situation turned the contest odds in their favour. Reacting to a long ball, Armenia goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) raced forward with Simon Cox, after clearily handling the provision, attempting to lob over him only to see the effort strike directly in the ‘keeper’s upper torso, near the underside of his arm. However in a moment that would change the complexion of the match, referee Eduardo Iturralde González harshly reached towards his red-card and sent off the thirty-seven year-old goalkeeper, thus providing the Irish hosts the man advantage. The Armenian tactician called upon the face of the future between the woodwork, Arsen Petrosyan (Արսեն Պետրոսյան) for the wrongfully dismissed ‘keeper and shifted tactics given the personnel disadvantage. The hosts were having little progress going forward until two minutes shy of the break as Damien Duff charged down the right before sending a cross from near the by-line with Valeri Aleksanyan (Վալերի Ալեքսանյան) victimized for an own goal as his wayward nestled into the net.

The hosts, albeit not known for their flourish under manager Giovanni Trapattoni, lacked a dangerous element but just shy of the hour doubled the margin a Aiden McGeady’s cross was not dealt with properly by the young Armenian ‘keeper to which Richard Dunne barged the ball over the line. Needing three goals for the win, Mr. Minasyan added Lokomotiv Moscow’s Artur Sarkisov (Արթուր Սարկիսով) and the final half-hour saw the Armenia dictate the proceedings handily. At the sixty-second minute Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան) halved the margin as he accepted Yura Movsisyan’s (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) provision from the left side of the area before driving the ball past the sprawling ‘keeper from the top of the box. The balance of time Armenia continued to press to the point their hosts were relieved as Shay Given’s goal was not breached again and they were able to claim the 2-1 result.

For Armenian supporters far and wide the result leaves a bitter taste of dreadful call that dictated the proceedings but must not distract from what transpired in Dublin as well as the entire qualifying period. Against all odds and barely considered much more than a “run out” opponent, petite Armenia of colossal heart proved like its great history to triumph against the greatest of odds. With an attack that was a much proud of the colours they wore as bold, Armenia fought valiantly and served notice that as their side matures, notably for 2018 World Cup in Russia, they will be a force under the superb leadership of Vardan Minasyan.

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As Armenia takes the pitch on Dublin Tuesday evening against the Republic of Ireland in Group B play of Euro 2012 qualification, not only a second place finish will be at stake but mighty comment of the Beautiful Game is to be written.

When Armenia was drawn into Group B, little thought was given of the then “minnows” with the likes of Russia, Slovakia and Ireland but in systematic fashion manager Vardan Minasyan (Վարդան Մինասյան) has created a line-up that is not only emblematic of the great nation but tugs at the heartstrings of every fan of the game.

Armenia, petit in size, colossal of heart, has quickly emerged as the ultimate of giant killers, a formidable unit that casts aside lofty pedigree and bright lights of the top clubs of Europe and plays at a resounding pace. If football is set to the beat of your heritage, Vardan Minasyan’s side is artistic dance to the likes of Aram Khachaturian as the attacking unit that is led by the quickly emerging stock of attacking dynamos Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան). Wreaking havoc on the opposition, the Armenian’s show a fearless resolve to attack the flanks and not afraid to launch a counter with full confidence in their back line. Juxtaposed to most of the line-up that will not hit full stride until the World Cup comes to Russia in 2018, Armenia’s veteran goalkeeper  Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) and skipper Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան) continue to perform at a level of men have their age, which of-course provides clue to the teams success.

Armenia is a team, unlike many a modern day side that performs best in the heat of international competition. Their strength is not of one, a flourishing start but of team and how each player plays at their best when honoured with chance to play for their homeland. While their players are quickly gaining international attention, their magical play began when they handed the reigns to now thirty-seven year old Mr. Minasyan as the Yerevan native quickly instilled a style of play that was expressly fearless, bold and pressed forward at all times.

Tuesday evenings contest will be a mighty tactical tussle with the young Yerevan native entering the ring against Ireland manager and accepted football genius Giovanni Trapattoni. While in such case’s the prevailing approach would be a cautionary step forward by the visitors if the young Mr. Minasyan has proven anything his Armenian side will put forth a counter-attacking venom, fearless on the flanks and force their hosts to be at their best.

As the dust settles on the pitch across the many Euro qualifying matches on Tuesday evening, one side’s supporters will rise in song whilst another fills with sorrow, recalling lost chances. Yet on Monday night, Armenian supporters already understand their hero’s decisive statement that throughout the tournament they played every second of every match boldly as a team, unified and without fear, typifying the finest element of the Beautiful Game.

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Armenia took one giant step closer to realizing its dream of qualifying for Euro 2012 with a resounding 4-1 victory over Macedonia in Group B qualification in Yerevan. With the result, Armenia’s third successive victory, they now travel to Dublin on Tuesday to face the Republic of Ireland with a top two finish on the table.

Entering the contest, Armenia manager Vardan Minasyan made a single adjustment to his side that decimated with Artur Yuspashyan entering for Hrayr Mkoyan as his side was led out by veterans Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) and Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան). To the backdrop of their always voracious supporters Armenia began to probe early in search of victory. Before the ten minute mark, Krasnodar attacking dynamo Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) rasped an effort off the woodwork but it was not long until the warning shot was quenched. In a brilliant attacking effort the Krasnodar man moved off the flank and right channel, navigating away from three defenders before laying the ball back from the by-line for Marcos Pizzelli (Մարկոս Պիզզելլի) to smash into the net from six metres. The celebration continued six minutes later as Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան) flashed brilliance as he came off the right flank to the centre of the pitch before delivering a left-footed drive from well outside the area to double Armenia’s advantage. While the Macedonia’s showed spunk in trying to get back into the affair, veteran goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was up to the challenge and Armenia took the 2-0 lead to the break.

Eight minutes after the restart match-day referee Robert Schörgenhofer showed Velice Sumulikoski his second yellow-card after a dreadful challenge, forcing the Macedonian’s to play with a man disadvantage. To make matters worse the Macedonian skipper continued to confront the referee, first trying to hand him the arm-band before spitting in his direction as he walked off the pitch in a move that will likely see further suspension. Three minutes past the hour the Armenian tactician added Ural Sverdlovsk Oblast’s Edgar Manucharyan (Էդգար Մանուչարյան) for Marcos Pizzelli as the hosts continued their assault. Pushing their way through the contest was fait accompli with twenty-one minutes remaining as Yura Movsisyan played the role of architect once again as he saw his provision from the right was ripped into the net by Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան) with a superb volley from six metres. Mr. Minasyan quickly summoned Shinnik Yaroslavl’s Artur Sarkisov for Karlen Mkrtchyan (Կառլեն Մկրտչյան) with Edgar Malakyan entering for Gevorg Ghazaryan shortly thereafter. Four minutes from time, Vance Sikov spoiled Roman Berezovsky bid for a clean sheet as he nodded Vlade Lazarevski’s corner into the net though it was nothing more than a consolation. Artur Sarkisov (Արթուր Սարկիսով) added to the evening in the first minute of added-time as he was played in and after navigated past the ‘keeper to the right, rolled the ball into the net to give Armenia a 4-1 victory and move it a step closer to showdown on Tuesday in its historic quest for a spot in Euro 2012.

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Cagliari extended its impressive start to the new campaign with a 2-1 victory over visiting Novara at Stadio Sant’Elia in match day two of Serie A.

Sardinian manager Massimo Ficcadenti, conforming to the edict if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, maintained the same starting eleven that claimed victory over Roma in the opening week. From the favoured 4-3-1-2 formation that featured the Brazilian attacking duo of Nenê and Thiago Ribeiro paired up to. In a well disciplined tight-fisted affair chances were far from overflowing though visiting goalkeeper Samir Ujkani proved up to the challenge when threatened, starting with a close range stop of Davide Biondini before the quarter-hour. Midway of the half Francesco Pisano, at the back post, lofted a headed from a right wing cross towards the far corner but the visiting ‘keeper swatted the ball to safety. However seven minutes shy of the half the hosts leapt to their feet as Alessandro Agostini’s cross from the left was deftly needed on by Nenê with his attacking partner Thiago Ribeiro heading the ball powerfully into the net. The Cagliari mid-field trio of Davide Biondini, captain Daniele Conti and Radja Nainggolan were controlling the run of the play with the latter narrowly missing doubling the lead before the break only to see his effort from twenty-metres chalked off due to a offside call.

After a brief flurry from the Novara, enjoying their first taste of the sun in Serie A in fifty-five years, Mr. Ficcadenti, called upon Víctor Ibarbo for Ribeiro Thiago just before the hour. The run of the play was clearly in the Cagliari’s favour and with nineteen minutes remaining in regulation time Víctor Ibarbo lead a mercurial attack on the left, sending the ball to Nenê who came off the by-line only to see his acute angled effort denied by the visiting ‘keeper. At the eighty-eighth minute, Victor Ibarbo’s effort from ten metres bounded just outside the area where Daniele Conti rifled a low effort that Joaquín Larrivey deflected modestly to the left corner of the net. Moments later Takayuki Morimoto’s effort from just outside the area took an improbably high deflection off Davide Astori and just beyond the outstretched mitts of host ‘keeper Michael Agazzi but that would be as close as it would get as Cagliari claimed the 2-1 victory.

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In the final contest of Saturday in match day twenty-three of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Krasnodar defeated Rubin Kazan 3-1.

Krasnodar enjoyed a dream start as a right wing cross into the box saw match-day referee Igor Yegorov adjudged César Navas a handball penalty and point to the spot. In the ensuing effort Armenian international Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) stepped up and slid the ball into the left bottom corner of the net to give Krasnodar the lead they would not relinquish.

At the sixtieth minute, Slavoljub Muslin’s Krasnodar doubled the margin as Nikola Drinčić’s free kick from the left was volleyed into the net at the back post by Aleksandr Amisulashvili. Bibras Natkho pulled Rubin to within one at the eighty-fifth minute after Ognjen Vranješ was adjudged a penalty for up-ending Christian Noboa but that was as close as it would get. In the last gasp of time as Rubin ‘keeper Sergei Ryzhikov into the attacking end, the ball was dispossessed mid-pitch with Joãozinho racing forward and scoring into the empty net to give Krasnodar the 3-1 victory.

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In yet another stunning move in the thoroughly spellbinding effort, the Cinderella tale of Armenia in the Euro 2012 continued as they defeated Slovakia 4-0 at Stadium pod Dubňom in Žilina. The result pushes Vardan Minasyan’s (Վարդան Մինասյան) side to third-place of Group B, a scant point behind the Republic of Ireland with two matches remaining in the qualifying period.

When first draw into Group B, few could imagine Armenia would be anymore that a whipping boy to the likes of powerhouse Russia, the Giovanni Trapattoni led Republic of Ireland and quickly emerging Slovakia. However in a quick turn of events, under their thirty-seven year-old manager, Armenia has learned to win and possesses a riveting youthful attack that shows no fear. In the visit to Žilina Mr. Minasyan, now with more wins to his credit than any Armenian manager in history, made two adjustments to his line-up that defeated Andorra with Arthur Yedigaryan (Արթուր Եդիգարյան) and Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) entering for Artur Sarkisov and Edgar Manucharyan (Էդգար Մանուչարյան).

Once again led by the granite solid leadership of Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) and Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան), Armenia took the pitch with a counter-attack vision and waited for the right moment to attack. For much of the first forty-five minutes the hosts were clearly dictating the run of play but chances were of the lower probability kind, with the few that did make it through goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky quickly smothered.

After the break, Armenia emerged with intent and took the lead three minutes shy of the hour as poorly cleared ball on the left was nodded back in where Hrayr Mkoyan (Հրայր Մկոյան) nudged it through for Yura Movsisyan. The Krasnodar striker surged through on the left before driving the ball to the opposite side of the net to give Armenia the shock 1-0 lead. Following a brilliant stop by Roman Berezovsky of Filip Hološko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան) doubled the margin at the seventieth minute with a speculative effort from eighteen metres that caught the host ‘keeper flat-footed. Vladimír Weiss’ side, desperate for a way back into the affair attacked en masse with Stanislav Šesták and Erik Jendrišek entering but with ten minutes remaining Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան) sealed the result as he latched onto Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s lay back provision from the right by-line and sent into the waiting net from nine metres. The evening was not done for Armenia as in added-time Artur Sarkisov created a turnover with Henrikh Mkhitaryan racing in with the loose ball before seeing his chipped effort rasp off the crossbar where the Shinnik Yaroslavl striker nodded into the net for the 4-0 triumph.

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The Cinderella tale of Armenia’s Euro 2012 qualification efforts continued as they soundly defeated Andorra 3-0 at Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella. With the result Armenia, once considered a minnow of the football world, push to within three points of second-place in Group B before their showdown against Slovakia in Žilina on Tuesday.

In their visit to the Pyrénées, Armenian manager Vardan Minasyan (Վարդան Մինասյան) made four adjustments to his line-up that stumbled against Russia on 4 June. Once again led by the sturdy hand of experience of Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) and Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան), the Armenian tactician summoned the highly promising Artur Sarkisov, Valeri Aleksanyan, Levon Hayrapetyan and Edgar Manucharyan for Yura Movsisyan, Levon Hayrapetyan, Robert Arzumanyan and Levon Pachajyan.

In a deliberate start with both sides pacing the opposition’s tactical plan, chances were rare however ten minutes shy of the break the Armenian side took the lead via a brilliant piece of work from Marcos Pizzelli (Մարկոս Պիզզելլի). From the flank Levon Hayrapetyan (Լևոն Հայրապետյան) connected inside to Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան), who then provided the ball to the Metalurh Donetsk man, who after creating space delivered a dipping right-footed effort four metres beyond the edge of the area to the opposite corner of the net.

Armenia continued to own the upper-hand but was unable to build upon the lead until the seventy-fifth minute with a sumptuous piece of creativity via Artur Sarkisov. The twenty-four year old striker who continues to see his stock rise with Russia First Division side Shinnik Yaroslavl, was played in on the right channel by Marcos Pizzelli and after a clever show-time back-heel he slid the ball inside for Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան) on a overlapping run to the right before scoring to the bottom left corner of the net. Up by two, Mr. Minasyan quickly summoned Edgar Malakyan (Էդգար Մալաքյան) and Arthur Yedigaryan (Արթուր Եդիգարյան) for Edgar Manucharyan (Էդգար Մանուչարյան) and Marcos Pizzelli as Armenia went out the task of surgically eliminating the host’s comeback efforts. With a minute remaining in regulation time Zaven Badoyan (Զավեն Բադոյան) entered for Gevorg Ghazaryan, the first international cap for the Impuls Dilijan attacker. As perfunctory point to the day, in added-time match day referee Alexandre Kostadinov adjudged Ildefons Lima a penalty and red-card for bringing down Karlen Mkrtchyan (Կառլեն Մկրտչյան) with Henrikh Mkhitaryan converting on the ensuing effort to give Armenia the confident 3-0 victory.

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Coming off their late opening day victory over SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Eintracht Frankfurt played St. Pauli to a hard fought 1-1 draw honours even in front of a sparse crowd at Waldstadion in week two of the Bundesliga 2.

Hopeful of immediate rebound to the top-flight of German football, Armin Veh’s set forth with firm intent of their second straight win, though they knew they would be without the normal support of their voracious fans due to restrictions from incidents at the end of the prior campaign.

The opening stages were tense with neither side unable to cultivate an opportunity before midway of the half when the visitors missed a gifted opportunity as Fin Bartels nodded Sebastian Schachten’s provision with goal beckoning. Still Die Adler showed intent with St. Pauli goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner, formerly of 1860 München, stretch out to paw Caio’s probing effort to safety. However eight minutes shy of the break, St. Pauli grabbed the one goal advantage as Marius Ebbers nodded on Deniz Naki’s supply to the right side of the area for Fabian Boll who then crossed for Fin Bartels to finish from close range.

In search of the equalizer, Eintracht manager Armin Veh summoned Karim Matmour in for Caio at the break and it was not long until the hosts began to carve out opening. Moments after the re-start Austrian international Erwin “Jimmy” Hoffer saw a leveller chalked off with an offside call. St. Pauli ‘keeper Philipp Tschauner continued his in-form play as he pushed Alexander Meier’s header over the bar. Just past the hour the Eintract tactician added Martin Fenin for Erwin Hoffer, with Matthias Lehmann for Theofanis Gekas soon thereafter. Finally with twelve minutes remaining in regulation time, Eintracht broke through as a partially cleared ball bounded outside the area to which Alexander Meier delivered a superb volley to the bottom left corner of the net. The final stages saw much of the proceedings in the hosts favour but the contest ended without further incident as a 1-1 draw honours even.

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In the final contest of match day fourteen of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Yura Movsisyan leads Krasnodar past Volga Nizhny Novgorod 4-2.

In took only two minutes for the rapidly emerging Yura Movsisyan to open the scoring as the mercurial Armenian international latched onto the ball just outside the area before moving to his right to create space and fire into the opposite corner of the net. The match was square at the quarter-hour as coming via a counter on the left Anton Khazov received the ball, moved inside and delivered a low effort into the near corner. Four minutes shy of the break Krasnodar restored its lead as Aleksandr Kulchiy sent a dipping effort from just beyond the right side of the area to the back of the net.

On the hour Andrei Mikheyev surged into the right side of the area only to see his effort rattle off the woodwork to the opposite post where Joãozinho sent it in to give Krasnodar the two-goal advantage. Four minutes later Volga pulled on back as Lasha Salukvadze re-direced a long free kick into the net. Though Krasnodar would go down to ten-men following Andrei Mikheev’s second yellow card with twenty-four minutes remaining that would be as close as it would get. At the seventy-second minute Joãozinho nodded in Aleksandr Erokhin’s cross from the right by-line to give Krasnodar the 4-2 victory.

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John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Renegade Training™’s, as well as or Twitter.

In addition to Europa League News, John Davies writes on the “Beautiful Game” for Russian media giant Sport-Express. (Спорт-Экспресс) as well as Spartak Moscow