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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On the back of Hélder Postiga’s spectacular second-half strike, Portugal squeezed past Norway 1-0 at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz to climb into a three-way tie with the opposition and Denmark in Group H play of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

From the opening whistle Paulo Bento’s Selecção were in a dominating mode with João Moutinho and Raul Meireles coming close before Cristiano Ronaldo forced Norway goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein to stretch out fully to his right to stop a free kick from twenty-five metres. The hosts were intent with scoring only to see Pepe squander Nani’s finely placed free kick as his header soared over the bar. The Norwegian’s breathed a sigh of relief as Portugal’s efforts slowed and narrowly missed taking the lead when Blackburn Rovers-man Morten Gamst Pedersen mis-fired off the counter-attack.

With their voracious supporters in full song, Portugal pushed forward after the break with Hélder Postiga coming within a hushed whisper of scoring, only to see timely goalkeeping push his effort off-course. However seven minutes shy of the hour mark there was no stopping the twenty-eight year-old attacker, formerly of Porto, now of Sporting as he brilliantly volleyed Nani’s cross from the right into the net from ten metres. The goal further ignited Portugal’s assault with Carlos Martins denied first before Cristiano Ronaldo felt the same wrath of the determined Norwegian ‘keeper. However with little going forward for the visitors and after Cristiano Ronaldo could not convert in added-time, Portugal laid claim to the important 1-0 victory.

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

England dodged a bullet in a largely unimpressive performance with two unanswered goals in route to a 2-2 draw honours even with Switzerland at Wembley Stadium in Group G play of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The young Swiss side, beneficiaries of one of the sports best youth development program, started smartly with the Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart denying efforts from Gökhan Inler and Xherdan Shaqiri. However the recent Wembley curse for England’s ‘keeper reared its foul head two minutes past the half-hour when Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Tranquillo Barnetta free-kick from the left saw Joe Hart apparently rooted to his spot while the harmless looking ball bounded in at far post. Only two minutes later the nightmarish management of set pieces continued as Tranquillo Barnetta, from the left of the area, deliever a low free-kick that floated through the porous wall, assuming you can call it a “wall” when it parts with the first signs of the forthcoming effort, to the near post giving the Nati the two-goal advantage. If Wembley was aghast at common errors that our unlikely beyond youth play, fortune turned England’s way two minutes later as match-day referee Damir Skomina adjudged Johan Djourou a penalty for his rash challenge of Jack Wilshere in the area. Frank Lampard confidently stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball into the net to finally give Wembley something to cheer, albeit only for a brief moment as they provided a send-off of jeers at the break.

At the re-start, England manager Fabio Capello called upon Ashley Young for Frank Lampard and the twenty-five year-old Aston Villa man quickly asserted himself on the contest. Six-minute into the half, Leighton Baines deftly chested Jack Wilshere’s cross from the left flank back to Ashley Young who then finished with a brilliant low volley into the opposite corner net. Now level, England clear had ample opportunity to grab the fortunate win but clearly they were lacking with Darren Bent managing to steer a rebound of Ashley Young’s effort over the bar with the wide open net beckoning. Efforts came and went unsatisfied for both sides in the waning moments and following two minutes of added-time the final whistle was heard as the match concluded as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

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

The Euro 2012 qualification version David versus Goliath football tale continues as upstart Armenia travels to Saint Petersburg’s Petroski Stadion on Saturday to face mighty Russia in a crucial Group B contest.

For host Russia, the situation is nearing a point of demarcation in Dick Advocaat’s brief tenure as manager. While few have voiced the near impossible notion of not qualifying for the nearby Ukraine – Poland Euro’s, Russia is now locked in three-way time with Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland at the top sport of Group B and no longer a sure thing. Following the debacle of missing out in last summers World Cup and thinking well ahead to their own hosting of the premier event in 2018, Russia is firmly locked on winning out the qualification and voiding the deadly playoff route where anything can happen.

Standing in Russia’s way is Armenia, who by even the most ardent of supporter’s opinion is playing well above expectation. The once impossible notion of Armenia, a heir apparent to minnow status at the start of the tournament, of qualifying of Euro’s is within grasp as a win will take them to top of the table.

When the two sides met this past March in Yerevan, Russia was the consensus favourite but was shocked by their stubborn hosts in a nil draw. While Armenia has shown a youthful, vigorous attack of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Yura Movsisyan, the work of ultra veterans goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky and Sargis Hovsepyan has been the real story with key defensive halts and leadership. To be successful in Saint Petersburg the young manager must keep his forces on a tight leash, slowing the anxious Russian who is in dire need of three points and pounce on countering opportunities.

If Russia’s failing in March stemmed from the lack of match readiness, given the start of the domestic campaign, June will hardly be a stroll in the park. Key ingredients to the mix, Yuri Zhirkov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Andrei Arshavin return from Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal of England’s Premier League, likely leg-heavy at the end of their season and dealing with the stress that each is likely on their way out of their clubs, with Russia noted as the most likely landing strip. Selection for the Russian side has seen Mr. Advocaat piece together a side heavily weighted with players from CSKA and Zenit Saint Petersurg with otherwise only a smattering of players from outside the top clubs. In his familiar surroundings where he lead Zenit to the domestic as well as UEFA Cup, the manger will need greater finishing as well as care of watching the counter attack friendly Armenian’s or this qualifying period will become very bleak for Russia.

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

In a tale of two sides seemingly going in opposite directions, Armenia’s stunning Cinderella story continued as in front of their supporters in Yerevan they held football powerhouse Russia to a nil draw in Euro 2012 qualifying. For Russia, the result is another blotch on unimpressive qualifying effort, a continuation from the failure of missing out on World Cup 2010, whilst for Armenia a shocking affirmation of their improving program.

Entering the contest, Russia stood atop Group B of the qualification round but had failed to dominate at any stage and a further blemish of losing to Slovakia in the capital. Armenia, on its own account, had played the role of the darling of the tournament, narrowly losing to the Republic of Ireland in its opener and later shocking Slovakia. That aside, Russia, who has fallen to twelfth in FIFA’s world rankings, had ample firepower and it was assumed that they were ready to turn over the engine and pounce into top gear.

In its trip south to Yerevan, Russia manager Dick Advocaat was hampered without the services of mercurial Vladimir Bystrov, due to long term injury and made only one change to his starting eleven that edged Republic of Macedonia last October with Roman Shishkin entering for Aleksandr Anyukov. Armenia manager Vardan Minasyan, made three changes to his side that overwhelmed Andorra in the autumn with Artur Edigaryan, Edgar Manucharyan and Artak Edigaryan summoned in for Levon Hayrapetyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan and Edgar Malakyan.

The early stages were predictable with the youthful Armenian side feverishly ready to attack, whilst Russia stemmed their tide with ease and slowly cooled the host supporters. Displaying an air of confidence, Russia seemed fine to allow Armenia to set the early tone, as if Dick Advocaat was waiting to see how his young counterpart would adjust his tactical plan. After a Marcos Pizzelli effort was denied by Igor Akinfeev near the twenty minute mark the tide shifted with Russia turning the screw. Exposing Armenia’s defending issues on the flank Yuri Zhirkov began to carve out openings with host ‘keeper Roman Berezovsky lodging two important stops to maintain the deadlock. With under ten-minutes remaining, Andrei Arshavin played a sumptuous one-two on the edge of the area but sent his effort wide as the contest went to the break scoreless.

At the restart, Armenia defied expectation to put the breaks on and instead spurred the steed with Yura Movsisyan accepting Marcos Pizzelli’s provision and narrowly steering his effort off course from seven metres. Squandered chances proved the marquee of Russia’s evening as the normally reliable Aleksandr Kerzhakov was unable to connect on two high probability chances as time ticked down. Playing cat and mouse with his counterpart, Dick Advocaat waited until Vardan Minasyan had made his three substitutions before calling upon Pavel Pogrebnyak for Aleksandr Kerzhakov with twelve minutes remaining, leaving Roman Pavlyuchenko in wait. The visitors later missed a glorious chance when Roman Shirokov was played through, as he sent his effort wide before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov entered for Andrei Arshavin with three minutes of added time to play. Russian continued to hold fast for the important three points and in the final gasped was in position with a corner to the right. However, Yuri Zhirkov’s effort failed to cause danger and with the final whistle the match concluded as a nil draw.

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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.

The early Euro 2012 qualifying effort has seen Russia, after an early stumble against Slovakia, climb atop Group B with a two-point advantage. While the Dick Advocaat led side showed promise with victories over the Republic of Ireland and Macedonia, the true shock of the tournament has been the play of Armenia.

Prior to the start of the competition Armenia was considered by many as little more than minnows but after a stunning series of performances, including a 3-1 victory over Slovakia, has leapt to a sixtieth ranking in the world and in a three-way tie for second place and only two points off Russia.

The success of the Armenian side is a unique blending of youthful boldness and rock solid veteran leadership that is profiting from a strong junior development in the country. Guided by thirty-six year-old manager Vardan Minasyan (Վարդան Մինասյան), the Armenians have defied all expectations with a mercurial attack that throws caution to the wind with bold vision going forward. In quick succession, young guns Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան), of Shakhtar Donetsk, Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) of Randers and Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան), of Pyunik Yerevan, have established a brash up-tempo attack.

While their attack has led to a group leading nine goal production in the opening four contests, the leadership of skipper Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան) and Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) is, without a doubt, the crux of their early heroics as the veterans have steadied a line-up with many who are able to suit up for the U-21.

Both players are no strangers to Russian football with the thirty-eight year-old Sargis Hovsepyan wearing the colours of Zenit Saint Petersburg for five year starting in the late 1990’s and Roman Berezovsky his team mate at Zenit, as well as boasting Torpedo and Dynamo on his resume before joining Khimki in 2006, where he is today.

While Khimki suffered a disappointing thirteenth point finish in First Division, Roman Berezovsky continued to be a highlight for the side and rumoured to have offers from Metalurh Donetsk and Pyunik Yerevan before recently agreeing to stay on in the “Red-Blacks” promotion efforts.

With Russia facing the Armenians in Yerevan on 26 March before the return engagement ten weeks later, Sports-Express met with the thirty-six year-old goalkeeper to discuss his impressions of the upcoming contest, as well as his plans under Khimki’s newly appointed manager Aleksandr Grigoryan.

Noting the goal of qualifying for the Ukraine / Poland Euro 2012, a crowning achievement in a superb career, he acknowledged that Slovakia had likely under-estimated their hosts after coming out the summers World Cup. While injured in the contest, he is confident of being able to suit up in a friendly against Georgia on 9 February, in what would be his sixty-fourth cap. In discussing the possibilities against Russia, he urged an “aggressive play in the attack”, emphasizing discipline in the midfield. Interestingly, as the Euro qualification hopes heat up in surprisingly tight group with the Russia versus Armenia clash of strategic importance, the veteran play of Sargis Hovsepyan and Roman Berezovsky will likely loom very large in both countries efforts.

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In a tightly played defensive battle and thanks to a heroic stop by Igor Akinfeev of a penalty effort, Russia moved to the top for Group B in Euro 2012 qualifying with a 1-0 victory of Macedonia in Skope.

Coming off their stunning victory over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, Russia was in prime position to move to the top of their group. As noted by Aleksandr Kerzhakov in Sports Express, Armenia’s victory over Slovakia was a “gift” that should not squander but Russia knew the Macedonian’s would provide little room in the attack. Against the determined Macedonian’s, Russia manager Dick Advocaat made no changes to his most recent starting eleven and went on the attack early.

At the eighth minute, Russia lodged the lone goal of the evening as Aleksandr Kerzhakov latched onto a through ball by his Zenit Saint Petersburg teammate Aleksandr Anyukov and after out working a defender sent a blistering drive into the net, past Macedonian goalkeeper Edin Nuredinovski. The compact Macedonian’s did want the Republic of Ireland could not and disrupted the sight lines and fluidity of the Russian assault. However, five minute shy of the half-hour Dick Advocaat’s men had fine chance to extend the advantage but Alan Dzagoev’s effort was off course. The Macedonian’s curmudgeonly defending continuously cut off Russian advances and the contest went to the break 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Four minutes after the re-start, Macedonian manager Mirsad Jonuz summoned Amkar Perm’s Stevica Ristić for Agim Ibraimi and momentum quickly shifted in the hosts direction. Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was under siege as defending began to unravel with Stevica Ristić re-directing a corner off the bar. Macedonian was cueing up for the leveller, causing Mr. Advocaat to bring in Alexei Berezutsky for Alan Dzagoev two minutes past the hour as he looked to stem their advances. Russia was on the verge of disaster with eighteen minutes remaining in regulation when match day referee Stefan Johannesson pointed the spot for Sergei Ignashevich’s tugging of Ilčo Naumoski’s shirt in the area. The normally reliable striker, who plies his trade for Austria’s Mattersburg, saw his drive stopping dramatically as Igor Akinfeev stretched out to his left to paw the ball away. Five minutes later, Pavel Pogrebniak entered for Alexander Kerzhakov, with Mr. Advocaat adding Vladimir Bystrov for Andrei Arshavin three minutes later but clearly the heroic stop revitalized Russia and through the balance of time chances were sparse. In the final moments, the Macedonians’ won a corner to right, with ‘keeper Edin Nuredinoski charging forward to take part but it came up for naught and the match concluded 1-0 in favour of Russia.

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Set to a flourishing Khachaturian inspired beat, Vardan Minasyan’s Armenia stormed past Andorra 4-0 in Group B play of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Mr. Minasyan, who was without the services of Edgar Malakyan, Davit Manoyan (Դավիթ Մանոյան) and Aghvan Mkrtchyan (Աղվան Մկրտչյան) as well as Karlen Mkrtchyan (Կառլեն Մկրտչյան) to suspension made two changes to his starting eleven with Artak Yedigarian and Edgar Manucharyan (Էդգար Մանուչարյան) coming in for Karlen Mkrtchain (Կառլեն Մկրտչյան) and Levon Pachajyan (Լեւոն Պաչաջյան).

Behind their faithful supporters in Yerevan, Armenia picked-up where they left off in the stunning upset of Slovakia. If there was fear of a let up against Andorra that was answered in the second minute as captain Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան) surged into the box before nodding a cross off the bar. Galvanized, Armenia surged ahead and at the fifth minute Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան) gave them the 1-0 lead as he accepted the ball on the left, just outside the area, and created some space before sending a booming effort to the opposite corner of the net. The Andorran side were being run of the pitch but after the Armenian’s saw a number of efforts come up for the naught, Karlen Mkrtchyan showed his predatory skills at the sixteenth minute when he latched onto a rebound off the visiting goalkeeper and drilled the ball into the goal. At the thirty-third minute, the contest was fait accompli as they highly talented Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան), a rising star with Danish side Randers, volleyed in a sumptuous cross from Sargis Hovsepyan at the right by-line. The Armenian’s continued to attack and in-fact the score-line was quite generous to the visitors but they were unable to build upon the lead through the break.

At the re-start, Marcos Pizzelli fired a booming effort off the woodwork but at the fifty-second minute Pyunik Yerevan attacker made no mistake as he surged down the right before beating the visiting goalkeeper. Up by four, Mr. Minasyan summoned Hovhannes Goharyan in for Yura Movsisyan immediately as the Andorran’s were clearly out of the affair. The match went through a chippy period, of which match day referee Tomasz Mikulski did well to keep tempers down. Chances remained modest with the majority of the play box-to-box as Armenia clearly eased off the throttle. With twenty-three minutes remaining in regulation Edgar Malakyan entered for goal-scorer Gevorg Ghazaryan as Armenia focused on killing off the result without complication. At the eighty-third minute Artur Yuspashyan came in for Marcos Pizzelli and without further incident, the match concluded as a 4-0 victory for Armenia.

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