Armenian team wanted to surprise opponent – coach

YEREVAN. – Armenian team wanted to surprise the opponent, said the head coach of Armenian national football team Vardan Minasyan in a press conference following Armenia’s victory over Bulgaria in World Cup home qualifying match.

“Today the main thing for me is the score on the board. The red card shown to Bulgaria affected us worse than them. The absence of Ozbiliz is a big failure. We hope that he and Arzumanian will recover prior to the match with Italy,” Minasyan said.

According to him, in the second half of the game, Armenian team started to “miss the game” as Armenian team players relaxed, knowing that they have a power play. The coach informed the team about the problem during the break.

“Of course, we hope to book a spot at the World Cup, however, Italians have rating issues and will be motivated [during the upcoming game with Armenian team],” he said. “As for the judge, he brilliantly did his job. He is in top three of world’s best judges.”

Vardan Minasyan added that Armenian team would have used same tactical scheme even in case it does not lose the players during the game.

“We wanted to surprise Bulgarians,” he added.

The head coach of Armenia’s national also noted that he likes Denmark’s team and wishes them victory.

The Armenian national defeated Bulgaria 2-1 in the home qualifying match. 

Bulgaria defender Nikolay Bodurov was sent off after he blocked Aras Ozbiliz who was trying to get into the Bulgarian box.  Ozbiliz scored the resulting free-kick leaving no chance to goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov.

Ivelin Popov scored an equalizer in the 61st minute to make it 1-1. Several minutes later Svetoslav Dyakov received a red car and was sent off. 

Yura Movsisyan scored in the 87th minute to bring victory to Armenia’s national.

After nine rounds in the World Cup qualifiers Group B, Italy has already booked their spot at Brazil 2014, with 20 points, and Bulgaria has 13 points. After home victory over Bulgaria, Armenia has 12 points.

Vera Martirosyan

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