YEREVAN (Reuters)–Armenia held group five leaders Poland to a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday–despite finishing the game with just eight men after a brawl three minutes from time.
Armenia’s Feliks Khojoyan and Aik Gevorgyan and Poland’s Jasek Bak were dismissed by Belgian referee Eric Romain after players from both sides squared up following a foul on a Pole. Both benches also got involved and it took match officials several minutes to restore order and play the remaining minutes.
Armenia’s Albert Sarkisyan had already been sent off in the 58th minute after picking up his second yellow card.
When Radoslaw Kaluzni put Poland ahead just four minutes into the game it looked as if the visitors would cruise to an easy win.
But Artur Petrosyan equalized for the home side just seven minutes later–beating Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek from close range. Poland–who would have all but sealed their place in the World Cup finals with a victory–pressed forward for much of the game but wasted several good chances.
The result left Poland with 17 points from seven matches – six points clear of second-placed Belarus–who were playing Norway later on Wednesday.
Armenia–who earned just their fourth point–moved off the bottom of the table–a point ahead of Norway.