Sports: Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan apologises after Armenia’s humiliating defeat

Manchester Evening News, UK
Oct 6 2017

Man Utd midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was at a loss to explain Armenia's humiliating 6-1 defeat to Poland.

ByCiaran Kelly

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has taken 'all responsibility' for Armenia's embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the hands of Poland in Yerevan on Thursday night.

Armenia have endured a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign and currently lie in fifth place in Group E ahead of basement boys Kazakhstan.

Artur Petrosyan's side have failed to win a qualifier since March and were put to the sword by Robert Lewandowski, who became Poland's all-time top scorer after bagging a hat-trick.

Mkhitaryan, Armenia's captain and all-time top scorer, was at a loss to explain how his side were so comprehensively outclassed.

"Problems are everywhere," he said after the humiliating defeat.

"We must do everything to ensure that this does not happen again in the match against Kazakhstan. There are no words.

"It was a shameful defeat. I am the captain of the team, and I undertake all responsibility for defeat from Poland."

Armenia, who are condemned to finish in fifth place in the group, head to Kazakhstan for their final World Cup qualifier on Sunday as they look to salvage some pride.

Mkhitaryan scored his only goal of the qualification campaign against Kazakhstan in a 2-0 win seven months ago.