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Oct 14 2012
Team-mates praise 'eternal leader' Hovsepyan
Published: Sunday 14 October 2012, 14.50CET
Armenia duo Henrik Mkhitaryan and Roman Berezovski spoke to UEFA.com
to express their admiration for Sargis Hovsepyan after the defender
recently won the last of his 131 caps.
This is a brave new era for Armenia as the national team grapples with
life after Sargis Hovsepyan, the side's captain and ever-present
figurehead who called time on his professional career aged 39 last
month.
Modest and unassuming, Armenia's most-capped player made 131
appearances for his country. His final outing came in September's 1-0
loss to Bulgaria in FIFA World Cup qualifying, and he was typically
understated about his career as he stepped away from the limelight. "I
don't think I'm a legend," he said. "I simply did my job."
After making his debut in Armenia's first international against
Moldova in 1992, and establishing himself among the favourites at FC
Pyunik and FC Zenit St Petersburg, the central defender was a key
figure in some of the national team's proudest moments.
"There were periods when no one believed in our national team,"
goalkeeper Roman Berezovski told UEFA.com, having first played
alongside Hovsepyan for Armenia in 1996. "People believe in us now and
have great expectations. Everyone has high expectations."
Those raised expectations are a testament to Hovsepyan's career,
influence and legacy, and Henrik Mkhitaryan holds his retired skipper
in similarly high regard. For the exciting young FC Shakhtar Donetsk
schemer, Hovsepyan remains nothing short of Armenia's "eternal
leader".
Watch the full interviews in the video box above.
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1874076.html
Oct 14 2012
Team-mates praise 'eternal leader' Hovsepyan
Published: Sunday 14 October 2012, 14.50CET
Armenia duo Henrik Mkhitaryan and Roman Berezovski spoke to UEFA.com
to express their admiration for Sargis Hovsepyan after the defender
recently won the last of his 131 caps.
This is a brave new era for Armenia as the national team grapples with
life after Sargis Hovsepyan, the side's captain and ever-present
figurehead who called time on his professional career aged 39 last
month.
Modest and unassuming, Armenia's most-capped player made 131
appearances for his country. His final outing came in September's 1-0
loss to Bulgaria in FIFA World Cup qualifying, and he was typically
understated about his career as he stepped away from the limelight. "I
don't think I'm a legend," he said. "I simply did my job."
After making his debut in Armenia's first international against
Moldova in 1992, and establishing himself among the favourites at FC
Pyunik and FC Zenit St Petersburg, the central defender was a key
figure in some of the national team's proudest moments.
"There were periods when no one believed in our national team,"
goalkeeper Roman Berezovski told UEFA.com, having first played
alongside Hovsepyan for Armenia in 1996. "People believe in us now and
have great expectations. Everyone has high expectations."
Those raised expectations are a testament to Hovsepyan's career,
influence and legacy, and Henrik Mkhitaryan holds his retired skipper
in similarly high regard. For the exciting young FC Shakhtar Donetsk
schemer, Hovsepyan remains nothing short of Armenia's "eternal
leader".
Watch the full interviews in the video box above.
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1874076.html