Soccer: Armenia Offered Three Million Euros To Reach Euro

ARMENIA OFFERED THREE MILLION EUROS TO REACH EURO

Times of India
Sept 9 2011

YEREVAN: Armenian football federation president Ruben Airapetyan has
promised the national squad a three-million-euro bonus if they secure
qualification for the Euro-2012 finals, local media reported on Friday.

After eight of their 10 qualifying matches Armenia sit third in Group
B on 14 points, one behind the Republic of Ireland and three behind
leaders Russia. Slovakia are fourth, also on 14 points.

Airapetyan said: “Our team now has a real chance to secure
qualification for the Euro. They will receive a three-million euro
bonus in they make our joint dream come true.”

Armenia head coach Vardan Minasyan refrained from making any comments
about the bonus — to be shared between the squad — but believes
Armenia are firmly in contention to make the 2012 showpiece in Poland
and Ukraine.

“There are four teams with serious chances of qualifying at the moment
in our group,” Minasyan said. “I believe Armenia have just as much
chance as reaching the Euro as the other contenders.”

Armenia, who started their qualifying campaign with two home defeats
(1-0 to Ireland and 2-0 to Russia), have bounced back with four wins
in later matches, including two unexpected wins over Slovakia.

Armenia midfielder Levon Hayrapetyan said he had a feeling that his
team have “a real chance” of taking the runners-up spot in the group.

“We believed from the first minute that we could win the match at
Zilina,” said Hayrapetyan. “Before the game we never thought that
we’d win 4-0 but we always believed we could win.

“Now, after this win, there is a real chance (of qualifying) for us
and we have to be focused for our next game.”

Armenia next face Macedonia at home on October 7 before winding their
campaign up with a trip to Dublin to face Ireland four days later.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress