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FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Can a resurrected Armenia stage a comeback?
- June 14, 2013
By Appo Jabarian
Denmark's hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup finals were dealt a
huge blow thanks to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Armenia in a
qualifier on June 11.
Rebounding from four consecutive defeats in as many games, Armenia
made an impressive come-back with a brilliant performance against the
Danes in Copenhagen stunning the home team - a favorite.
The victory made Armenia leapfrog Denmark in the standings; and become
a viable contender for qualification to FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Denmark lies fifth in the six-team Group B with 6 points trailing
Armenia on goal differential. Group leader Italy has 14 points,
Bulgaria 10, Czech Republic 9.
Spartak Moscow striker Yura Movsisyan fired the Armenian visitors
ahead in the first 30 seconds, shocking the Danish home crowd that
watched in complete disbelief as Aras Ozbiliz doubled it for Armenia
in the 19th minute. Movsisyan scored the 3rd goal in the 59th minute
while Ukraine 2012 Champions Shakhtar Donetsk's star Henrikh
Mkhitaryan scored Armenia's fourth in the 81st minute.
Head Coach Vardan Minasyan's side had scored just twice in their
previous five qualifying matches, but went goal crazy in Copenhagen to
earn three invaluable points.
Hundreds of Danes gave Armenia a standing ovation as the visitors
completed their incredible routing of the home team.
As promised, Minasyan succeeded in rewinding the team spirit and put
Armenia back into a winning mode. A few changes in the starter lineup
transformed Armenia beyond recognition and helped bringing back
memories of similar spirited drive in the previous Euro-2012
qualifying campaign.
As a result of the victory Armenia took her place among European
nations that were considered `alive' by UEFA, for qualifying.
Tuesday's away win against Denmark enabled Armenia to receive a
special mention on the FIFA `Week in Numbers' list of records.
Fifa.com wrote: `4 unanswered Armenia goals handed Denmark their
heaviest defeat in 26 years last night. The stunning home reverse was
the Danes' worst since being beaten 5-1 by Spain in the Round of 16 at
Mexico 1986, although Coach Morten Olsen - who played in that loss
against La Roja - had no hesitation in describing Armenia's unlikely
triumph as `the worst night of my football life'. For the visitors, it
was a record-equaling victory, and one made all the more remarkable as
it came just four days after they went down 1-0 against Malta. The
Armenians' hero was Yura Movsisyan.'
A country of three million, Armenia joined FIFA in 1994 after becoming
independent from now defunct Soviet Union and played her first
competitive match the same year. Armenia's lowest ranking was 159
among 170 nations in 1994. Her best mover was in June 2007 jumping 48
places to 80th following a stunning win against then favorite Poland
ranking 18. She ultimately climbed to 41st place in 2012.
In 2012 EURO qualifying phase Armenia secured 14 points out of 10
games, scored 17 goals and allowed 7, averaging 1.75 points and 2.13
for and 0.7 against goals per match.
In 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying phase, the results were dismal
compared to 2014 WC. Armenia earned a mere 4 points out of 10 games,
scored 6 and allowed 22 goals, averaging 0.4 points, and 0.6 for and
2.2 against goals per match. In all previous FIFA WC qualifiers from
1998 through 2010,
Armenia's best performance came in FIFA 1998 WC qualifying phase when
she averaged 0.8 points per match.
To date, in her 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign Armenia
secured 6 points in as many games and scored 6 goals averaging 1 point
and 1 goal per game. So far Armenia's performance far exceeds all her
previous campaigns.
Victory against Denmark leaves the group's second place slot up for
grabs among five national squads giving the 2nd place winner a berth
at the play-offs. There are still four more games offering Armenia an
opportunity to make history.
While some pundits may say it's `impossible' for Armenia to reach 2014
FFIA World Cup, statistically she still has a fighting chance.
Armenia is expected to get major boost in FIFA World Ranking. The June
11 win against Denmark, a major world soccer powerhouse ranking 20th
among 209 nations, will propel Armenia from current 89th place to a
spot in the 60's.
Had the Armenian national team won at home in Yerevan against underdog
Malta it would have earned 3 additional points sharing the 3rd place
in the group with rival Czech Republic. But that's water under the
bridge.
However, not all is lost. In order to hit the road to 2014 World Cup
in Brazil, Armenia must win all remaining matches - against the Czechs
on September 6 in Prague; Denmark on September 10 in Yerevan; Bulgaria
onOctober 11 in Armenia; and last qualifier against Italy four days
later.
Isn't it a seemingly impossible task? In the world of sports - and
especially soccer, there is nothing impossible.
Armenia almost wrote a Cinderella story in the soccer world during
EURO 2012 qualifying phase when she succumbed (1-3) during playoffs
against Republic of Ireland in October 2011.
Can she become the Cinderella of FIFA World Cup 2014?
Looking ahead to Brazil, while Armenia flunked in four consecutive
previous matches it mustered enough stamina and style to bring the
national team back on course. In addition to Italy, all remaining five
teams are contenders - some with high, others with low probability. As
a powerhouse, Italy is vying to consolidate its 1stplace finish. An
underwhelming Bulgaria has a three-point advantage over
underperforming Czech side and a four-point advantage over both
Armenia and Denmark.
For now, as experienced and prudent coaches preach, Armenia's main
task is winning the next match - against Czech Republic.
http://www.armenianlife.com/2013/06/14/fifa-2014-world-cup-qualifyingcan-a-resurrected-armenia-stage-a-comeback/
- June 14, 2013
By Appo Jabarian
Denmark's hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup finals were dealt a
huge blow thanks to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Armenia in a
qualifier on June 11.
Rebounding from four consecutive defeats in as many games, Armenia
made an impressive come-back with a brilliant performance against the
Danes in Copenhagen stunning the home team - a favorite.
The victory made Armenia leapfrog Denmark in the standings; and become
a viable contender for qualification to FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Denmark lies fifth in the six-team Group B with 6 points trailing
Armenia on goal differential. Group leader Italy has 14 points,
Bulgaria 10, Czech Republic 9.
Spartak Moscow striker Yura Movsisyan fired the Armenian visitors
ahead in the first 30 seconds, shocking the Danish home crowd that
watched in complete disbelief as Aras Ozbiliz doubled it for Armenia
in the 19th minute. Movsisyan scored the 3rd goal in the 59th minute
while Ukraine 2012 Champions Shakhtar Donetsk's star Henrikh
Mkhitaryan scored Armenia's fourth in the 81st minute.
Head Coach Vardan Minasyan's side had scored just twice in their
previous five qualifying matches, but went goal crazy in Copenhagen to
earn three invaluable points.
Hundreds of Danes gave Armenia a standing ovation as the visitors
completed their incredible routing of the home team.
As promised, Minasyan succeeded in rewinding the team spirit and put
Armenia back into a winning mode. A few changes in the starter lineup
transformed Armenia beyond recognition and helped bringing back
memories of similar spirited drive in the previous Euro-2012
qualifying campaign.
As a result of the victory Armenia took her place among European
nations that were considered `alive' by UEFA, for qualifying.
Tuesday's away win against Denmark enabled Armenia to receive a
special mention on the FIFA `Week in Numbers' list of records.
Fifa.com wrote: `4 unanswered Armenia goals handed Denmark their
heaviest defeat in 26 years last night. The stunning home reverse was
the Danes' worst since being beaten 5-1 by Spain in the Round of 16 at
Mexico 1986, although Coach Morten Olsen - who played in that loss
against La Roja - had no hesitation in describing Armenia's unlikely
triumph as `the worst night of my football life'. For the visitors, it
was a record-equaling victory, and one made all the more remarkable as
it came just four days after they went down 1-0 against Malta. The
Armenians' hero was Yura Movsisyan.'
A country of three million, Armenia joined FIFA in 1994 after becoming
independent from now defunct Soviet Union and played her first
competitive match the same year. Armenia's lowest ranking was 159
among 170 nations in 1994. Her best mover was in June 2007 jumping 48
places to 80th following a stunning win against then favorite Poland
ranking 18. She ultimately climbed to 41st place in 2012.
In 2012 EURO qualifying phase Armenia secured 14 points out of 10
games, scored 17 goals and allowed 7, averaging 1.75 points and 2.13
for and 0.7 against goals per match.
In 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying phase, the results were dismal
compared to 2014 WC. Armenia earned a mere 4 points out of 10 games,
scored 6 and allowed 22 goals, averaging 0.4 points, and 0.6 for and
2.2 against goals per match. In all previous FIFA WC qualifiers from
1998 through 2010,
Armenia's best performance came in FIFA 1998 WC qualifying phase when
she averaged 0.8 points per match.
To date, in her 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign Armenia
secured 6 points in as many games and scored 6 goals averaging 1 point
and 1 goal per game. So far Armenia's performance far exceeds all her
previous campaigns.
Victory against Denmark leaves the group's second place slot up for
grabs among five national squads giving the 2nd place winner a berth
at the play-offs. There are still four more games offering Armenia an
opportunity to make history.
While some pundits may say it's `impossible' for Armenia to reach 2014
FFIA World Cup, statistically she still has a fighting chance.
Armenia is expected to get major boost in FIFA World Ranking. The June
11 win against Denmark, a major world soccer powerhouse ranking 20th
among 209 nations, will propel Armenia from current 89th place to a
spot in the 60's.
Had the Armenian national team won at home in Yerevan against underdog
Malta it would have earned 3 additional points sharing the 3rd place
in the group with rival Czech Republic. But that's water under the
bridge.
However, not all is lost. In order to hit the road to 2014 World Cup
in Brazil, Armenia must win all remaining matches - against the Czechs
on September 6 in Prague; Denmark on September 10 in Yerevan; Bulgaria
onOctober 11 in Armenia; and last qualifier against Italy four days
later.
Isn't it a seemingly impossible task? In the world of sports - and
especially soccer, there is nothing impossible.
Armenia almost wrote a Cinderella story in the soccer world during
EURO 2012 qualifying phase when she succumbed (1-3) during playoffs
against Republic of Ireland in October 2011.
Can she become the Cinderella of FIFA World Cup 2014?
Looking ahead to Brazil, while Armenia flunked in four consecutive
previous matches it mustered enough stamina and style to bring the
national team back on course. In addition to Italy, all remaining five
teams are contenders - some with high, others with low probability. As
a powerhouse, Italy is vying to consolidate its 1stplace finish. An
underwhelming Bulgaria has a three-point advantage over
underperforming Czech side and a four-point advantage over both
Armenia and Denmark.
For now, as experienced and prudent coaches preach, Armenia's main
task is winning the next match - against Czech Republic.
http://www.armenianlife.com/2013/06/14/fifa-2014-world-cup-qualifyingcan-a-resurrected-armenia-stage-a-comeback/