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Poulsen not cowed by Armenian challenge
Tuesday 3 February 2009
by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan
Armenia coach Jan B. Poulsen admits his side have "nothing to lose"
after opening their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with four
defeats as hopes of a place in South Africa vanished.
Big Task
Appointed a year ago with the goal of leading Armenia to the World Cup
finals in South Africa, Poulsen received few favours from the draw
which pitched his side into a fiercely competitive Group 5. "We
started the campaign against Turkey and reigning European champions
Spain," he said. "We did our best. We showed total commitment and a
will to fight, but unfortunately the guys who are playing abroad
lacked match fitness and were far from their best condition.
Limited opportunities
"As with every national-team coach I don't have much time with my
squad," added the 62-year-old, who spent much of his career with BK
Frem but also coached the Denmark Under-21 team, Singapore and
Jordan's U20 side. "I last saw the team in November before the
Bosnia-Herzegovina match [a 4-1 away defeat]. It's hard to produce
anything impressive in such conditions. Everybody is doing their best,
but we still suffer from lack of coordination in our play."
Next generation
Armenia take on Latvia in a friendly on 11 February as they look to
build up confidence ahead of the resumption of their Group 5 campaign
in March. "The main thing for us is to get together once again," said
Poulsen. "Three months have passed since our last training
camp. Despite being without some key players, the Latvia game is very
important. It will give me a chance to test several young
prospects. We have to see who can strengthen the team in the future."
'Nothing to lose'
Conceding that his side "definitely have problems up front" and a
"shortage of tall players with good aerial ability", Poulsen accepts
that the World Cup is now beyond Armenia, but is happy to battle
on. "We've got nothing to lose now," he said. "I believe that
Armenia's results will. Last year we were successful against
Kazakhstan, Belarus and Malta, but I hope we'll achieve more in
clashes with top teams. At least, we promise to put all our efforts
into doing so."
Tuesday 3 February 2009
by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan
Armenia coach Jan B. Poulsen admits his side have "nothing to lose"
after opening their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with four
defeats as hopes of a place in South Africa vanished.
Big Task
Appointed a year ago with the goal of leading Armenia to the World Cup
finals in South Africa, Poulsen received few favours from the draw
which pitched his side into a fiercely competitive Group 5. "We
started the campaign against Turkey and reigning European champions
Spain," he said. "We did our best. We showed total commitment and a
will to fight, but unfortunately the guys who are playing abroad
lacked match fitness and were far from their best condition.
Limited opportunities
"As with every national-team coach I don't have much time with my
squad," added the 62-year-old, who spent much of his career with BK
Frem but also coached the Denmark Under-21 team, Singapore and
Jordan's U20 side. "I last saw the team in November before the
Bosnia-Herzegovina match [a 4-1 away defeat]. It's hard to produce
anything impressive in such conditions. Everybody is doing their best,
but we still suffer from lack of coordination in our play."
Next generation
Armenia take on Latvia in a friendly on 11 February as they look to
build up confidence ahead of the resumption of their Group 5 campaign
in March. "The main thing for us is to get together once again," said
Poulsen. "Three months have passed since our last training
camp. Despite being without some key players, the Latvia game is very
important. It will give me a chance to test several young
prospects. We have to see who can strengthen the team in the future."
'Nothing to lose'
Conceding that his side "definitely have problems up front" and a
"shortage of tall players with good aerial ability", Poulsen accepts
that the World Cup is now beyond Armenia, but is happy to battle
on. "We've got nothing to lose now," he said. "I believe that
Armenia's results will. Last year we were successful against
Kazakhstan, Belarus and Malta, but I hope we'll achieve more in
clashes with top teams. At least, we promise to put all our efforts
into doing so."