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FINLAND FRUSTRATED BY ARMENIA
UEFA.com
Oct 7 2006
Finland's hopes of reaching a first major finals suffered a setback
as Armenia got off the mark in UEFA EURO 2008~Y Group A.
Armenia hold on
Roy Hodgson's side led the pool at kick-off after defeating Poland
and holding Portugal, but Armenia - coached by another Briton, Ian
Porterfield - bounced back from their opening loss against Belgium
to hold out for a point.
No repeat
Finland had won 2-0 in Yerevan in FIFA World Cup qualifying almost
two years ago to the day, but here Armenia began brightly. Arman
Karamyan threatened in the opening seconds, but like Armen Shahgeldyan
13 minutes later, could not force his long-range effort past Jussi
Jaaskelainen in Finland's goal. Egishe Melikyan then sent in a powerful
shot which Jaaskelainen parried, while at the other end Shefki Kuqi
directed Finland's first real chance wide.
Kasparov checks strikers
The first half ended in stalemate and the second continued in
similar fashion. Kuqi drove over and Sami Hyypia headed wide, while
Shahgeldyan came close twice. Gevorg Kasparov was having a quiet night
in the Armenia goal but earned his corn 19 minutes from time with a
stunning save from Mika Vayrynen. As time ran out, Kasparov pulled
off further stops from substitute Mikael Forssell and Finland captain
Jari Litmanen to give Armenia a point to take to Serbia on Wednesday,
when Finland travel east to Kazakhstan.
UEFA.com
Oct 7 2006
Finland's hopes of reaching a first major finals suffered a setback
as Armenia got off the mark in UEFA EURO 2008~Y Group A.
Armenia hold on
Roy Hodgson's side led the pool at kick-off after defeating Poland
and holding Portugal, but Armenia - coached by another Briton, Ian
Porterfield - bounced back from their opening loss against Belgium
to hold out for a point.
No repeat
Finland had won 2-0 in Yerevan in FIFA World Cup qualifying almost
two years ago to the day, but here Armenia began brightly. Arman
Karamyan threatened in the opening seconds, but like Armen Shahgeldyan
13 minutes later, could not force his long-range effort past Jussi
Jaaskelainen in Finland's goal. Egishe Melikyan then sent in a powerful
shot which Jaaskelainen parried, while at the other end Shefki Kuqi
directed Finland's first real chance wide.
Kasparov checks strikers
The first half ended in stalemate and the second continued in
similar fashion. Kuqi drove over and Sami Hyypia headed wide, while
Shahgeldyan came close twice. Gevorg Kasparov was having a quiet night
in the Armenia goal but earned his corn 19 minutes from time with a
stunning save from Mika Vayrynen. As time ran out, Kasparov pulled
off further stops from substitute Mikael Forssell and Finland captain
Jari Litmanen to give Armenia a point to take to Serbia on Wednesday,
when Finland travel east to Kazakhstan.