ZILINIZ, Slovakia—Armenia beat Slovakia 4-0 in the crucial Euro 2012 Group B qualifyer match on Tuesday by scoring four second-half goals.
Yura Movsisyan netted in the 57th minute after the Slovak defense failed to clear a corner kick for his fourth international goal. Henrik Mkhitaryan added the second with a low, long-range shot in the 70th that took Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha by surprise, reported the AP.
With the Slovaks desperately attacking, the visitors focused on quick counterattacks.
Gevorg Ghazaryan scored 10 minutes before the end and substitute Artur Sarkisov finished the Slovaks off in injury time.
”We were better in the first half but we failed to score,” Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik said. ”It’s our mistake. Football is all about goals.”
Slovakia’s second loss in the qualifying campaign – the previous 3-1 defeat came in October also by Armenia – is a blow to its hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
With two more games to play, Slovakia is fourth in Group B with 14 points. Armenia is third, also on 14 and three behind leader Russia. Ireland is second on 15 points.
Slovakia hosts Russia next on Oct, 7 while Armenia plays Macedonia at home.
”We’ll have to fight against Russia,” Hamsik said.
Lineups:
Slovakia: Jan Mucha, Peter Pekarik, Martin Skrtel, Jan Durica, Marek Cech (Erik Jendrisek, 78), Miroslav Karhan, Vladimir Weiss (Stanislav Sestak, 71), Miroslav Stoch, Marek Hamsik, Karim Guede (Robert Jez, 55), Filip Holosko.
Armenia: Roman Berezovsky, Sargis Hovsepyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Artur Edigaryan (Artur Yuspashyan, 90), Marcos Pizzelli (Edgar Manucharyan, 73), Gevorg Ghazaryan, Yura Movsisyan (Artur Sarkisov, 85), Hrayr Mkoyan, Valeri Aleksanyan, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Levon Hayrapetyan.
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This is way we should be in everything. In football (yes it’s football not sucker), in politics and in our national identity. As Baron Stepan Partamian says: Pari Luys
Go Armenia Go! Tser Tsave Yes Tanem!
Chess, Soccer, and Boxing, Armenia loves our athletes and braniacs! Bravo!
It is an excellent performance. We need to qualify. We need to best Ireland and secure the 2nd position in the group and thus have acceess to the EU championships.
This make us walk with our heads up as Armenians .ABREK Deghek
You guys make us proud. Love to answer to my hispanic coworkers that Armenian team is the best in our region!
Hayastann tesaq Slovaknerin vonc brnabarec? U sa der skizbn e…………….. Hojord@ Irlandaciq en
Well, in the last two games Armenia and Slovakia must win their respective games two each). If so, Armenia will gain first place and Slovakia – second… It is so simple to write, but Slovakia plays Russia (at home) and Macedonia (away); Armenia plays Macedonia (home game) and Ireland – in Dublin.
Godd luck to our boys! I hope they found their Game and will continue in the same, SMART and so ARMENIAN, style!!!