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International Football Tournament 2008: Armenia on top
after second day
by SILVIO VELLA
Feb. 5, 2008
After beating Malta in the first match, Armenia got
the better of favourites Belarus yesterday, to
register their second win of the tournament and go on
top of the standings.
The Armenians, well organised and quick on the ball,
shrugged off an early setback for a remarkable
comeback that saw them turn the tables, thanks to an
improved second half performance.
As against Malta, substitute Ara Hakobyan proved his
side's match winner.
Belarus forged ahead after five minutes play when
Viachaslav Hleb, younger brother of the more famous
Arsenal player, capitalised on the Armenia keeper's
gaffe, as he dropped a high ball inside the box, to
knock it over the line.
Past the quarter hour Belarus also hit the post with a
Vasiliuk shot on a Bulyga cross but then conceded
Armenia's equaliser midway through the half. Following
a Lazarian corner kick from the right, Ararat
Arakelyan headed in from close range level matters.
Although play remained mostly balanced, Belarus looked
more dangerous going forward and twice went close
before halftime.
On a fast break, Romaschenko went past two opponents
but his final shot was blocked into a corner. On the
half hour Blizniuk's headed effort on a Hleb cross,
was held out by the goalkeeper.
Belarus effected two substitutions after the restart
but Armenia made some considerable improvement,
showing a more direct approach in the second period.
Melkonyan shot off target after a good move and a
teasing Hakobyan cross from the right.
Armenia denied their opponents any comfort on the ball
and even after their industrious midfielder Voskanya
was substituted, they still looked slightly faster on
the ball than their opponents.
On 78 minutes Hakobyan's powerful central shot was
turned over the bar by giant keeper Liantsevich, who
played instead of Veremko. From the resultant corner,
Ara Hakobyan advanced inside the area from the right
and shot low past the surprised keeper as the ball
might have taken a slight deflection off a Belarus
defender who stood in the way.
Two minutes from time, Armenia also had their player
Tadeosyan sent off by referee Zammut for a second
caution. But there was little time left for Belarus to
exploit their numerical superiority although they
caused some anxious moments to the Armenia defence in
the dying minutes.
after second day
by SILVIO VELLA
Feb. 5, 2008
After beating Malta in the first match, Armenia got
the better of favourites Belarus yesterday, to
register their second win of the tournament and go on
top of the standings.
The Armenians, well organised and quick on the ball,
shrugged off an early setback for a remarkable
comeback that saw them turn the tables, thanks to an
improved second half performance.
As against Malta, substitute Ara Hakobyan proved his
side's match winner.
Belarus forged ahead after five minutes play when
Viachaslav Hleb, younger brother of the more famous
Arsenal player, capitalised on the Armenia keeper's
gaffe, as he dropped a high ball inside the box, to
knock it over the line.
Past the quarter hour Belarus also hit the post with a
Vasiliuk shot on a Bulyga cross but then conceded
Armenia's equaliser midway through the half. Following
a Lazarian corner kick from the right, Ararat
Arakelyan headed in from close range level matters.
Although play remained mostly balanced, Belarus looked
more dangerous going forward and twice went close
before halftime.
On a fast break, Romaschenko went past two opponents
but his final shot was blocked into a corner. On the
half hour Blizniuk's headed effort on a Hleb cross,
was held out by the goalkeeper.
Belarus effected two substitutions after the restart
but Armenia made some considerable improvement,
showing a more direct approach in the second period.
Melkonyan shot off target after a good move and a
teasing Hakobyan cross from the right.
Armenia denied their opponents any comfort on the ball
and even after their industrious midfielder Voskanya
was substituted, they still looked slightly faster on
the ball than their opponents.
On 78 minutes Hakobyan's powerful central shot was
turned over the bar by giant keeper Liantsevich, who
played instead of Veremko. From the resultant corner,
Ara Hakobyan advanced inside the area from the right
and shot low past the surprised keeper as the ball
might have taken a slight deflection off a Belarus
defender who stood in the way.
Two minutes from time, Armenia also had their player
Tadeosyan sent off by referee Zammut for a second
caution. But there was little time left for Belarus to
exploit their numerical superiority although they
caused some anxious moments to the Armenia defence in
the dying minutes.