Tweet
UEFA.com
March 4 2011
Pyunik once more the team to watch in Armenia
Published: Friday 4 March 2011, 10.37CET
After ten straight Armenian titles, FC Pyunik will bid for another in
2011 with coach Vardan Minasyan explaining that his home-grown team
"always aspire to the highest goals".
by Khachik Chakhoyanfrom Yerevan
Looking at recent statistics can be a dispiriting experience for FC
Pyunik's Armenian Premier League rivals. The Yerevan side have won the
last ten domestic titles ` and 13 of the 19 crowns since independence.
The 20th post-Soviet Armenian season begins at the weekend, with
Pyunik once more favourites to prevail. The club's plethora of
home-grown players had been expected to be picked off by other teams
during the winter, but in the event they suffered only two departures:
defender Vahagn Minasyan, now at FC Mika, and goalkeeper Artur Lesko.
Belarusian keeper Lesko has returned to his home country with FC
Minsk, with Pyunik still to find a recognised No1 to replace him. To
compound matters, midfielder Karlen Lazarian sustained a serious knee
injury on trial with Russian team FC Kuban Krasnodar, yet boss Vardan
Minasyan is adamant the club have talent to spare.
"Whatever the squad, Pyunik always have the highest goals," said the
Pyunik and Armenia coach. "Our strategy will not change, we remain
committed to young players. Several more have joined us to increase
our bench options. Maybe some will earn a starting place, it depends
on them. Only the best will play, regardless of experience."
Last season a mere point separated Pyunik from second-placed FC
Banants, though there were significant differences in terms of
philosophy. At the time, Banants had drafted in a raft of foreign
players, but many have now moved on, with a renewed commitment to
academy graduates bringing them more in line with Pyunik's thinking.
Armenian Under-21 international defender Artashes Arakelyan has
bolstered the squad, although new Serbian signing Dragan DragutinoviÄ?
has already been sidelined for five months by injury. "We fought for
the title until the very end of last season," said Banants president
Sargis Israyelan. "Our team remains the same but for a few changes and
we have the same goals ` to compete for every domestic trophy."
Mika, FC Impuls and FC Gandzasar Kapan look the most likely to compete
with Pyunik and Banants for the top positions in the eight-team table.
Mika boast new acquisition Vahagn Minasyan and fellow international
Hrayr Mkoyan at the heart of their defence, yet have lost Ivorian
striker Boti Demel to Rosenborg BK.
Impuls's winter recruits include Armenia forward Hovannes Goaryan,
late of FC BATE Borisov, while Gandzasar have former FC Kilikia coach
Avraam Hashmanyan in charge. FC Shirak, meanwhile, are led by former
Pyunik boss Samvel Petrosyan who wants his side to push for a European
place.
From: A. Papazian
March 4 2011
Pyunik once more the team to watch in Armenia
Published: Friday 4 March 2011, 10.37CET
After ten straight Armenian titles, FC Pyunik will bid for another in
2011 with coach Vardan Minasyan explaining that his home-grown team
"always aspire to the highest goals".
by Khachik Chakhoyanfrom Yerevan
Looking at recent statistics can be a dispiriting experience for FC
Pyunik's Armenian Premier League rivals. The Yerevan side have won the
last ten domestic titles ` and 13 of the 19 crowns since independence.
The 20th post-Soviet Armenian season begins at the weekend, with
Pyunik once more favourites to prevail. The club's plethora of
home-grown players had been expected to be picked off by other teams
during the winter, but in the event they suffered only two departures:
defender Vahagn Minasyan, now at FC Mika, and goalkeeper Artur Lesko.
Belarusian keeper Lesko has returned to his home country with FC
Minsk, with Pyunik still to find a recognised No1 to replace him. To
compound matters, midfielder Karlen Lazarian sustained a serious knee
injury on trial with Russian team FC Kuban Krasnodar, yet boss Vardan
Minasyan is adamant the club have talent to spare.
"Whatever the squad, Pyunik always have the highest goals," said the
Pyunik and Armenia coach. "Our strategy will not change, we remain
committed to young players. Several more have joined us to increase
our bench options. Maybe some will earn a starting place, it depends
on them. Only the best will play, regardless of experience."
Last season a mere point separated Pyunik from second-placed FC
Banants, though there were significant differences in terms of
philosophy. At the time, Banants had drafted in a raft of foreign
players, but many have now moved on, with a renewed commitment to
academy graduates bringing them more in line with Pyunik's thinking.
Armenian Under-21 international defender Artashes Arakelyan has
bolstered the squad, although new Serbian signing Dragan DragutinoviÄ?
has already been sidelined for five months by injury. "We fought for
the title until the very end of last season," said Banants president
Sargis Israyelan. "Our team remains the same but for a few changes and
we have the same goals ` to compete for every domestic trophy."
Mika, FC Impuls and FC Gandzasar Kapan look the most likely to compete
with Pyunik and Banants for the top positions in the eight-team table.
Mika boast new acquisition Vahagn Minasyan and fellow international
Hrayr Mkoyan at the heart of their defence, yet have lost Ivorian
striker Boti Demel to Rosenborg BK.
Impuls's winter recruits include Armenia forward Hovannes Goaryan,
late of FC BATE Borisov, while Gandzasar have former FC Kilikia coach
Avraam Hashmanyan in charge. FC Shirak, meanwhile, are led by former
Pyunik boss Samvel Petrosyan who wants his side to push for a European
place.
From: A. Papazian