Soccer: Champions League Qualifying Round Up: Shirak Cruise, Lusitan

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND UP: SHIRAK CRUISE, LUSITANS HELD

Goal.com
July 2 2013

The Armenian league leaders had little trouble disposing of their
opponents from San Marino, while EB/Streymur claimed a fine 2-2 draw
in Andorra

Ismael Fofana scored a hat-trick as Shirak beat Tre Penne 3-0 in the
first round of UEFA Champions League qualifying on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Ivorian was the star of the show as his Armenian
side romped to victory against their opponents from San Marino in
the first leg of their first-round clash.

The midfielder, who counts England’s Charlton and Norway’s Fredrikstad
among his former clubs, netted the first goal of the 2013-14 UEFA
Champions League season with a 36th-minute strike.

The Armenian Premier League table-toppers then gained themselves a
significant advantage for the second leg as Fofana netted twice more
after the break – firing home again in the 55th minute before wrapping
up his hat-trick nine minutes later to give Shirak a comfortable win
in Gyumri.

Tuesday’s other match saw EB/Streymur of the Faroe Islands come from
behind to claim a 2-2 draw at Andorran outfit Lusitans.

Lusitans scored twice in the first 30 minutes, with defender Cristian
Martinez netting both goals. His first came via a 24th-minute penalty,
before he doubled his account five minutes later.

However, a half-time substitution by EB/Streymur manager Runi Nolsoe
paid dividends, as Arnbjorn Hansen struck after 67 minutes, and a
Levi Hanssen penalty two minutes later ensured the spoils were shared
ahead of next week’s return fixture.