Soccer: Armenia Heads to Albania for Pivotal Euro 2016 Qualifier

Special for the Armenian Weekly

Euro 2016 qualifying resumes this week, and for Armenia, it can’t come quickly enough. After spending a long winter languishing at the foot of the Group I table, having secured just a solitary point from the previous three outings, it is no wonder. All that can change with a positive result in the next fixture, however. With a third-place finish in the Group the minimum goal for Armenia, its slow start to the campaign can be remedied with three points against Albania on Sun., Mar 29. Elsewhere in Group I, Portugal welcomes Serbia to Lisbon to complete the fourth round of games in a hotly contested group.

For Armenian supporters, all eyes now turn to the Elbasan Arena, as Challandes’ men square off against an Albanian side that currently occupies that third-place berth. Third place would secure a play-off for the finals tournament, with the top two spots gaining automatic qualification. Although the situation looks grim for Armenia, there is still time. A positive result against Albania is a must, though, to keep hopes of qualification alive.

Denmark and Portugal currently occupy the top two spots, but the landscape of the group is complex. Each team in the group has suffered at least one loss, indicating the parity that exists between any two teams on a particular day. Wins for Armenia and Serbia on Sunday would see all five teams within three points of the top spot after four rounds of play. In contrast, a pair of losses for Armenia and Serbia would see both teams six points adrift, leaving Denmark, Portugal, and Albania sitting pretty. Such a scenario would spell doom for Armenia’s and Serbia’s respective campaigns, especially with only four games remaining after Sunday’s action.

If Armenia is to get the result it needs, the players will need to improve drastically from their poor form of 2014. A new coach, a new formation, a new system of play, and key injuries all may have contributed to the run of poor results last year. Now is the time for the leaders on the pitch to stand up and be counted. The likes of Robert Arzumanyan and Roman Berezovsky will need to be at the top of their game. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who seems to be coming out of the doldrums and back into the form we know he is capable of at Borussia Dortmund, will also need to put in a good display. His performance in Elbasan will be a key component to setting a positive tone for the team as a whole.

Goals have come at a premium for Armenia in recent times. This is indicative of the tactics Challandes has employed since taking over at the helm. Conceding possession, packing the midfield, and maintaining a solid defensive shape can bring success, but it should be complimented with fast breaks and clinical finishing. Armenia has the personnel and athleticism to employ these tactics effectively, but sharpness in front of goal is paramount in order to cash in on the limited opportunities that present themselves in such games.

In their first 3 qualifiers, Armenia has managed 29 noteworthy attempts at goal. In contrast, they have afforded their opponents 62 attempts. Yura Movsisyan and his counterparts upfront will need to have their shooting boots on to have any sort of success, if that worrying trend continues. With Movsisyan without a goal in the Russian Premier Division since November of last year, perhaps the change of scenery or a slice of luck can serve as the catalyst he needs to get on the score sheet in such an important game.

Aras Özbiliz is an important absentee from the squad as he continues his rehabilitation following knee surgery, but Armenia still has more than enough firepower to get a result. Gaël Andonian of Olympique de Marseille in France and Ruslan Koryan of Lokomotiv Tashkent in Uzbekistan are welcome newcomers to the senior squad. Albania, on the other hand, has no major concerns in their squad and should be in a position to field a full strength side. Only time will tell if Armenia awakens from its winter hibernation stuttering and groggy or rejuvenated and ready to go.

Armenia Squad

Roman Berezovsky, Gevorg Kasparov, Arsen Beglaryan, Robert Arzumanyan, Hrayr Mkoyan, Levon Airapetian, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Varazdat Haroyan, Taron Voskanyan, Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, Gaël Andonian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Edgar Manucharyan, Gevorg Ghazaryan, Artur Yedigaryan, Marcos Pizzelli, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Artak Yedigaryan, Norayr Aslanyan, Artem Simonyan, Zaven Badoyan, Yura Movsisyan, Artur Sarkisov, Ruslan Koryan
Coach: Challandes

Albania Squad

Etrit Berisha, Alban Hoxha, Orges Shehi, Lorik Cana, Ansi Agolli, Andi Lila, Debatik Curri, Mërgim Mavraj, Elseid Hysaj, Arlind Ajeti, Naser Aliji, Ervin Bulku, Odise Roshi, Valdet Rama, Amir Abrashi, Ergys Kaçe, Migjen Basha, Burim Kukeli, Ermir Lenjani, Ledian Memushaj, Alban Meha, Shkëlzen Gashi, Taulant Xhaka, Herolind Shala, Hamdi Salihi, Armando Sadiku, Bekim Balaj, Sokol Cikalleshi
Coach: De Biasi

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M.J. Graham

Michael Graham is The Armenian Weekly's soccer correspondent. Born and raised in Limerick, Ireland, Graham graduated from the University of Limerick with a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering. Passionate about soccer, Graham plays in and manages local adult soccer leagues in Massachusetts and is a holder of a U.S. Adult Amateur coaching license. Follow him on Twitter (@mjlgraham).

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