Gyumri is football city – FC Shirak head coach

By Khachik Chakhoyan

Armenian premier football league’s new season will get underway with the cup tournament semifinals, and Gyumri city’s FC Shirak is among the final four. Head coach Vardan Bichakhchyan’s team is currently training to achieve victory, which will allow the squad to play in the Euro League. Armenian News-NEWS.am caught up with Bichakhchyan, and below is an excerpt from our interview conducted with him.          

How is the preparation phase going?

We held the first two trainings at the Avan Football Academy, and, of course, we also had test matches at the same time.  

Has the objective of the trainings in Antalya [Turkey] changed? 

Yes. It was game-oriented in Antalya. The accent was placed on seeing the boys’ cooperation during test matches. The game script must be steady. Together with all this, we tried to bring a stability into our team’s game, and I am satisfied with the work the boys have done.

Shirak once again received the opportunity to reach the finals at the cup tournament. But it needs to defeat [FC] Mika do this. Also, the final will be held in Gyumri. 

I am very happy that the final will be played in Gyumri. This truly is a gift to football lovers and the fans from Gyumri. Gyumri is a football city. No games were held in Gyumri for the past two years, and it is very important that this year the cup final will be held here at us for the first time. It is very desirable for us to go to the final and to play at home, [and] with the support of our fans.   

A victory in the final will allow Shirak to play in the Euro League.

Now what’s important is the semifinal. Only after winning here can we think about the final.

Photo from fcshirak.am