Tweet
MIKA AIMING FOR FIRST ARMENIAN NO1
UEFA.com
Sept 8 2009
MIKA (in red) and Pyunik (in white) are the prime contenders for
the Armenian title (©90rope) FC Mika are six points off the top of
the Armenian table, but as they meet FC Pyunik for the first of two
summit battles before the end of the season, the cup specialists are
dreaming of a first title.
Title monopoly The race for the championship has frequently been
close in recent years, but the outcome has always been the same, with
Pyunik successful in each of the past eight campaigns. The capital
club made major changes from the side which triumphed last season,
bringing a new generation of players into the first team, and their
position at the top of the table is not yet secure.
'Not over' The champions' coach Vardan Minasyan told uefa.com that
things may not be so simple, explaining: "Pyunik are always fighting
for first place regardless of the age of the squad. The race for the
gold medals is not over and anything can happen. The fight will be
tough." Exactly how tough may become clear as Pyunik visit Mika on
Saturday for the first of two potential title deciders.
Cup specialists With eight rounds to go, Mika are in an almost
unprecedented position. Having earned their reputation as
Armenian Cup specialists, winning the competition five times, the
once-Ashtarak-based club peaked in league terms with runners-up
finishes in 2003 and 2004. And while they lost their most recent
match 3-2 at FC Kilikia, coach Samvel Darbinyan is not abandoning
hope of claiming a maiden title.
Tough schedule "Nobody can play well in every match," Darbinyan
said. "We have had our ups and downs, but I hope that the worst is
over. We have two important matches against Pyunik and have to win if
we want to get the title." They may be assisted in that aim by the
champions' fixture schedule, with the likes of FC Ulis Yerevan, FC
Banants and FC Gandzasar Kapan all capable of giving them tough games.
New force Ulis could indeed be the biggest surprise package of
all. Founded in 2006, the signings of international players Karen
Aleksanyan, Armen Tigranyan, David Grigoryan and Grayr Mkoyan have
raised the club's ambitions, and a late assault on the summit is not
entirely beyond them. "We want to play attractive football; that is
the most important thing," coach Sevada Arzumanyan said. "We're in
a good shape. Third place would be a success to us but we want more."
UEFA.com
Sept 8 2009
MIKA (in red) and Pyunik (in white) are the prime contenders for
the Armenian title (©90rope) FC Mika are six points off the top of
the Armenian table, but as they meet FC Pyunik for the first of two
summit battles before the end of the season, the cup specialists are
dreaming of a first title.
Title monopoly The race for the championship has frequently been
close in recent years, but the outcome has always been the same, with
Pyunik successful in each of the past eight campaigns. The capital
club made major changes from the side which triumphed last season,
bringing a new generation of players into the first team, and their
position at the top of the table is not yet secure.
'Not over' The champions' coach Vardan Minasyan told uefa.com that
things may not be so simple, explaining: "Pyunik are always fighting
for first place regardless of the age of the squad. The race for the
gold medals is not over and anything can happen. The fight will be
tough." Exactly how tough may become clear as Pyunik visit Mika on
Saturday for the first of two potential title deciders.
Cup specialists With eight rounds to go, Mika are in an almost
unprecedented position. Having earned their reputation as
Armenian Cup specialists, winning the competition five times, the
once-Ashtarak-based club peaked in league terms with runners-up
finishes in 2003 and 2004. And while they lost their most recent
match 3-2 at FC Kilikia, coach Samvel Darbinyan is not abandoning
hope of claiming a maiden title.
Tough schedule "Nobody can play well in every match," Darbinyan
said. "We have had our ups and downs, but I hope that the worst is
over. We have two important matches against Pyunik and have to win if
we want to get the title." They may be assisted in that aim by the
champions' fixture schedule, with the likes of FC Ulis Yerevan, FC
Banants and FC Gandzasar Kapan all capable of giving them tough games.
New force Ulis could indeed be the biggest surprise package of
all. Founded in 2006, the signings of international players Karen
Aleksanyan, Armen Tigranyan, David Grigoryan and Grayr Mkoyan have
raised the club's ambitions, and a late assault on the summit is not
entirely beyond them. "We want to play attractive football; that is
the most important thing," coach Sevada Arzumanyan said. "We're in
a good shape. Third place would be a success to us but we want more."