The Republican Stadium in Yerevan was the venue for Armenia’s last international match of the calendar year, a visit from Lithuania held on Nov. 14. The match would also be the last international match in the illustrious career of longtime captain Sargis Hovsepyan, as the FFA paid tribute to the man who gave an incredible 20 years of service to his country.
Hovsepyan had recently retired from the international stage just a few days shy of his 40th birthday following Armenia’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Bulgaria in early September. In a special tribute, Hovsepyan was invited back to play a ceremonial 5 minutes in the match versus Lithuania to collect his 132nd cap as the nation bid farewell to the national team’s greatest servant.
Hovsepyan played the opening five minutes of the match and was treated to rapturous applause as he left the field for the last time, a poignant moment that will be cherished by all who witnessed it. During the half-time interval the tribute continued as Hovsepyan received a presentation from FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan and a gold medal from the mayor of Yerevan, Taron Margaryan.
As one chapter in Hovsepyan’s life comes to a close, another begins, as it was announced that he would continue with the national team as a trainer. The vast experience and supreme professionalism he displayed over a long career will be assets that can help guide the younger players coming through the ranks. Hovespyan will be continuing his work on the training field much as he did on the pitch.
Beginning his playing career as a teenager in Soviet Armenia for Malatia Yerevan in 1990, Hovsepyan was in the starting line-up for Armenia’s first international match as an independent nation on Oct. 14, 1992, versus Moldova. Since then he has played for a number of club teams, including FC Lori Kirovakan, FC Zenit St. Petersburg, FC Torpedo-Metallurg, and two spells at FC Pyunik, a team which he also captained. He has won many team and individual honors along the way, including Armenian league and cup titles and a Russian cup title, and was voted Armenian Player of the Year on two occasions while playing for FC Pyunik.
All of this while being ever-present in the national team setup as it grew, matured, and developed an identity in the world game. While not a prolific attacking right-back, Hovsepyan was strong, athletic, and most importantly consistent. He did manage two goals along the way, one from the spot against Kazakhstan and the other a spectacular effort against Belgium in a World Cup qualifier back in 2009. That will certainly be one to show the grandchildren in years to come.
Maintaining such high standards over a period of 20 years is a remarkable achievement, one that wasn’t lost on the supporters who showed their appreciation with cheers and with banners on display throughout the stadium with images of their majestic captain emblazoned across them. An end of an era for one man, but as he leaves, the team is in great shape and poised for future successes.
The match itself didn’t disappoint, living up to the celebratory nature of the evening. A victory for Armenia and an abundance of goals was no more than the occasion deserved. In team news, Yura Movsisyan was a notable absentee as he pulled out of the squad with a minor injury. Most of the senior players were present along with a healthy sampling of the younger members of the squad. Minasyan had also extended an invitation to Moldovan-born youngster Artem Khatchaturov. He’s a promising player, a 20-year-old tall defender who has represented Moldova at under age level but may make the switch to the senior Armenia side in the future. He was unable to join the squad for this match due to delays in the necessary paperwork filed with FIFA.
Soon after Hovsepyan’s departure, Edgar Manucharyan broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion on seven minutes. Aras Özbiliz made a run down the left and found an unmarked Manucharyan at the top of the box. His first-time left-footed shot beautifully stroked the ball home to the far right corner for the lead. Manucharyan retired from the match soon afterwards, as he picked up a knock on 15 minutes. The sides were trading half chances as the match progressed but Lithuania was unlucky not to equalize on 36 minutes when a vicious low cross flashed across the goal mouth, but the finishing touch was not there.
Five minutes after the break Henrikh Mkhitaryan sent a direct free-kick crashing off the crossbar. The rebound was collected by Karlen Mkrtchyan, and as he was swarmed by defenders he managed to poke the ball home to double the lead. Replays showed Mkrtchyan was in an offside position when the free-kick was taken, but the goal would stand. Minutes later it was three. A sweeping move from left to right found Özbiliz entering the area, his squaring pass turned home easily by Mkhitaryan as Armenia added to the lead, and it seemed the flood gates were about to open.
Lithuania responded with a tremendous strike on 66 minutes. A simple ball over the top was latched onto by Artŭras Rimkevičius on the left wing and he let fly with a left-footed strike that sailed over Berezovsky in goal to the top corner of the net. A wonder strike, but Armenia was not to be out done.
Soon afterwards, Gevorg Ghazaryan combined with Özbiliz to send a header off the crossbar just before Özbiliz produced a piece of magic to add to his two assists on the night and get on the score sheet himself. A slick one-two on the left wing sent him through on goal. As the goalkeeper advanced to narrow the angle, Özbiliz dispatched a deft chip over the keeper and into the unguarded net, a sublime piece of skill. The score now stood at 4-1 to Armenia.
Lithuania threatened again as the match came to a close with Roman Berezovsky turning away another effort that developed down the left wing. He was powerless, however, in stopping Lithuania’s second goal from the penalty spot on 83 minutes. Karlen Mkrtchyan was caught dwelling on the ball in the box and his rash attempt at regaining possession gave the referee an easy decision to make. Artŭras Rimkevičius stepped up to collect his brace by sending a cheeky Panenka-style penalty off the underside of the crossbar and into the net as Berezovsky had committed to the dive.
This was a good result for Armenia and a better way to enter the winter break bouncing back from a recent pair of World Cup qualifying defeats in style. It was also a fitting send-off for Sargis Hovsepyan, who will be remembered as one of Armenia’s greatest. Armenia’s next action will be in March of 2013 with a friendly match versus Turkmenistan before World Cup qualifying starts again in earnest with the visit of the Czech Republic to Yerevan.
Armenia: R. Berezovsky, S. Hovsepyan (5’ Artak Yedigaryan/64’ H. Hambardzumyan), R. Arzumanyan (28’ T. Voskanyan), V. Aleksanyan, K. Hovhannisyan, G. Ghazaryan, K. Mkrtchyan (82’ Artur Yedigaryan), H. Mkhitaryan (73’ M. Voskanyan (YC)), M. Pizzelli, A. Özbiliz (75’ E. Malakyan), E. Manucharyan (15’ D. Manoyan)
Coach: V. Minasyan
Lithuania: G. Arlauskis, V. Andryuškevičius, A. Vilkaitis (58’ T. Kijanskas), M. Panka, E. Česnauskis, D. Matulevičius, S. Mikoliŭnas, L. Pilibaitis (YC) (61’ A. Rimkevičius), K. Chvedukas, F. Černych (56’ V. Luksa), M. Stankevičius (YC)
Coach: C. László
M.J. Graham
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Congrats on the victory, Armenia!
The only thing that bothers me is the national team’s fall in the FIFA rankings. With the group of death they’ve been placed in for World Cup qualification (Italy, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, AND Denmark?!) how could it not?
Armenia needs to beat at least few good higher rating teams, in order to gain, what they have lost in FIFA ranking this year!!