Special to the Armenian Weekly
Much like a prize fighter in a bruising title bout, Armenia has taken its lumps during this qualifying campaign, but the team is still standing entering the final round. Just as they did in Euro 2012 qualifying, the Armenians enter the final match with something to play for. That is more than can be said for a lot of other teams in the Confederation.
Although their wish list wasn’t completely satisfied from the latest round of fixtures, Armenia’s 2:1 victory over Bulgaria in Yerevan, coupled with the drawn encounter between Denmark and Italy in Copenhagen on Fri., Oct. 11, sets Group B up for a nail-biting finish. There is one playoff berth on offer, and staggeringly, there are four teams still in with a shot of securing it.
Aras Özbiliz and Yura Movsisyan were the goal-scoring heroes for Armenia. Ivelin Popov’s free kick in reply for Bulgaria was the only blotch on the copybook, as Armenia recorded its first home points of the campaign and its first qualifying goals on Armenian soil since Mkhitaryan’s effort versus Italy on Oct. 16, 2012. Knowing those points, it is almost outrageous to believe Armenia still has a say in Group B entering the final match, but it does.
Group B table
|
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
| Italy |
9 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
17 |
7 |
+10 |
21 |
| Bulgaria |
9 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
14 |
8 |
+6 |
13 |
| Denmark |
9 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
11 |
12 |
-1 |
13 |
| Czech Republic |
9 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
12 |
9 |
+3 |
12 |
| Armenia |
9 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
10 |
11 |
-1 |
12 |
| Malta |
9 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
5 |
22 |
−17 |
3 |
The visit to Sofia over a year ago was full of incident and drama, as Armenia finished the match with nine men on the field of play and Bulgaria secured the points. The return fixture would live up to its billing as the “grudge” rematch the fans had waited for. This time around, it was Bulgaria that finished with nine men and Armenia that came away with the victory.
A few hours after Armenia had done its job, Denmark and Italy squared off in Copenhagen. Everyone with an Armenian interest was looking for a favorable result and rooting for Italy to win. Pablo Osvaldo opened the scoring for Italy, only for Denmark’s prodigal son, Nicklas Bendtner, to respond with a brace of goals with his head. At that stage in proceedings, the outlook looked bleak for Armenia–that is, until a deflected goal from Alberto Aquilani in injury time spoiled the party in Copenhagen and put Danish celebrations on hold.
With the Czech Republic picking up a routine 3 points against Malta, it means nothing is decided yet in the Group. There are many permutations possible from the final day of action on Tues., Oct. 15. The requirements for Armenia to advance are now quite simple: win against Italy and hope for two draws in the other fixtures.
| 15/10/13 | Denmark |
vs. |
Malta |
| 15/10/13 | Italy |
vs. |
Armenia |
| 15/10/13 | Bulgaria |
vs. |
Czech Republic |
Although Bulgaria currently possess a superior goal difference over Denmark (head-to-head results are even), they will be seriously affected by missing players due to suspension. Welcoming the Czechs to Sofia, who themselves have everything to play for, will also be no easy task for Bulgaria. The Czechs are in a similar position as Armenia; they are looking to Malta for help in taking points from Denmark. The fact that Denmark plays Malta in Copenhagen on the final day would suggest that on paper, they have a terrific chance of scoring a handful of goals and advancing in the competition.
If Malta does not concede early in the match, things could get difficult for Denmark as the visitors play for the draw. Conceding early goals is something that has plagued Malta during this campaign, however, so they’ll need to buck that trend for Armenia to have any chance. Armenia’s own task at hand is a difficult one. Although the Italians are safely on the plane to Brazil, they have a proven track record of finishing campaigns strongly and having a proud home record. For Armenia, the injuries suffered by Özbiliz and Arzumanyan against Bulgaria could also be a concern as they both race to recover by Tuesday’s match.
A win and two draws: While most would say it’s unlikely to happen, others might say, to quote a famous movie line, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!” All that’s left to do is wait and see.
Armenia: Berezovsky (C), Hovhannisyan, Airapetian, Arzumanyan (YC) (12” Aleksanyan), Mkoyan, Mkrtchyan, Mkhitaryan, Sarkisov (90” Manoyan), Özbiliz (54” Pizzelli), Ghazaryan, Movsisyan (YC)
Coach: Minasyan
Bulgaria: Stoyanov, Manolev (59″ Tonev), Zanev, Bodurov (RC), Minev (YC), Popov (C), Ivanov, Milanov (76″ Hristov), Gadzhev, Dyakov (Y/RC), Gargorov (69″ Zlatinski)
Coach : Penev
M.J. Graham
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Minor correction. There are only 3 teams (and not 4 as the article says) still in the shot of getting a playoff berth as only Bulgaria, Denmark and Armenia have a Chance of a play-off berth. Czech is out as they can only accumulate 9 clean points (points excluding those won against Malta). the 8 other 2nds have already accumulated 10 points each.
That is correct, good point.
Since it is only the best 8 runners-up of the 9 groups that advance (once the points gained from the lowest team in each group is subtracted) , there is the further layer of uncertainty for members in Group B. Armenia would end on a maximum of 12 points with a win in Italy and after results versus last placed Malta are discarded. This 12 point total still may be the lowest 2nd placed total of the 9 groups, and as a result would see them eliminated. Basically what that means is Armenia needs a lot of help, both within the group and across other groups as well.
what movie was that again,Ehh?… remind me?/Jim Carey..in?\ lol, cant wait fore the second one!
and…May GOd save king, but by another miracle of his Victory show everyone what it means to savyor, secure, and come to the rescue of the Queen.