Pyunik change alerts Armenia
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
by Khachik Chakhoyan
FC Pyunik’s six-year reign as Armenia’s top team could
yet be under threat following the appointment of
inexperienced coach Armen Gjulbidagyants.
Inexperienced replacement
The eight-team league has been unusually competitive
so far, even though Pyunik won the title by a clear 16
points last season. To muddy the waters, defeat in the
Armenian Cup semi-finals at the start of May saw
Samvel Petrosyan dismissed as Pyunik coach, and his
greenhorn replacement Gjulbidagyants may not be able
to resist some stern competition from the chasing
pack.
MIKA change
While FC Kilikia and FC Ulis Yerevan are already
sinking to the bottom of the table, the remaining six
sides seem relatively evenly matched at the moment. FC
Banants, FC MIKA – who recently hired Arakdij
Andreasyan to replace coach Armen Adamyan – and FC
Ararat Yerevan are all within three points of the
leaders, while FC Gandzasar Kapan and FC Shirak are no
pushovers.
Banants resurgent
Banants made a drab start to the league season but
their spirits are soaring following their 3-1 win
against Ararat in the Armenian Cup final on 9 May.
They have won all three of their subsequent league
games to move up to second. The captain is Yegishe
Melikyan although fellow defender Ararat Arakelyan has
been impressive too, earning a national team call-up.
Ararat rally
By contrast, the disappointment of missing out in the
cup final – and losing the accompanying UEFA Cup first
qualifying round place – knocked Ararat off their
stride momentarily. However, following defeat by
Banants in the league, experienced coach Varuzhan
Sukiasyan has rallied his men, and after two 2-0 wins
in a row, they are back on song in fourth place.
In freefall
Buoyed by a number of foreign stars, MIKA are third
although their form has been changeable. At the foot
of the table, meanwhile, Ulis and Kilikia are heading
into freefall. Kilikia have conceded eight goals
without reply in their last two games while Ulis have
scored none and conceded eleven in their three most
recent fixtures. The break for UEFA EURO 2008′ action
has come at a good time for both.
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