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DUTCH TALENT OZBILIZ DECIDES TO PLAY FOR ARMENIA
Xinhua General News Service
October 5, 2011 Wednesday 5:55 AM EST
China
Former Dutch youth international Aras Ozbiliz will play for the
national team of Armenia in the future.
The 21-year-old Ajax forward arrived in the Armenian capital Yerevan on
Tuesday and was presented as newly Armenian international on Wednesday.
Ozbiliz was born in Bakirkoy in Turkey, has Armenian roots, but was
raised in the Netherlands. He received an Armenian passport when he
arrived in Yerevan. He neglected the advice of his Ajax coach Frank
de Boer.
"It was a difficult decision for me because my coach advised me
to wait," Ozbiliz explained his choice. "De Boer was convinced that
within two to three years I might become a player of the Dutch national
team. Holland might be a good choice in sporting terms but my heart
beats for Armenia. That's why I made this choice."
Armenia still has a chance of qualifying for the 2012 European
Championships. Ozbiliz is currently suffering from an ankle injury
and will miss the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Macedonia
and Ireland.
Due to injuries Ozbiliz did not play an official match for Ajax this
season. Last season he scored one goal in fourteen league matches.
Xinhua General News Service
October 5, 2011 Wednesday 5:55 AM EST
China
Former Dutch youth international Aras Ozbiliz will play for the
national team of Armenia in the future.
The 21-year-old Ajax forward arrived in the Armenian capital Yerevan on
Tuesday and was presented as newly Armenian international on Wednesday.
Ozbiliz was born in Bakirkoy in Turkey, has Armenian roots, but was
raised in the Netherlands. He received an Armenian passport when he
arrived in Yerevan. He neglected the advice of his Ajax coach Frank
de Boer.
"It was a difficult decision for me because my coach advised me
to wait," Ozbiliz explained his choice. "De Boer was convinced that
within two to three years I might become a player of the Dutch national
team. Holland might be a good choice in sporting terms but my heart
beats for Armenia. That's why I made this choice."
Armenia still has a chance of qualifying for the 2012 European
Championships. Ozbiliz is currently suffering from an ankle injury
and will miss the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Macedonia
and Ireland.
Due to injuries Ozbiliz did not play an official match for Ajax this
season. Last season he scored one goal in fourteen league matches.