UNDOUBTEDLY THE SHOCK result of the Group B campaign to date, Armenia’s comprehensive dismantling of Slovakia in Žilina last night dramatically changed the complexion of the race for play-off qualification.
Ireland entered the latest round of qualifiers intent on securing a minimum of four points from matches against Slovakia and Russia. That target, however, was derived from the assumption that Russia would beat Macedonia (which they just about did) and that Slovakia would beat Armenia at home (which they most certainly didn’t).
Slovakia’s 4-0 loss to Armenia last night means that Ireland emerge, somewhat improbably, from the international break in a more favourable position than they entered it, but it has also marked the Caucasians out as a threat not to be underestimated.
“This is a huge victory for us,” commented the FC Krasnodar forward. “I’m not surprised by it; we believed in each other from the very beginning. This was a chance to prove once again that we have a good team, and the fact that we scored all our goals from open play shows that we have good players.”
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Though it’s unlikely to play a direct role in deciding the outcome of the group, it’s worth noting that Armenia have now scored 17 goals in the qualifying campaign, six more than Ireland and a eleven more than Slovakia.
That 1-0 in Yerevan last year is beginning to look better and better.
Armenia set sights on Group B second place finish
UNDOUBTEDLY THE SHOCK result of the Group B campaign to date, Armenia’s comprehensive dismantling of Slovakia in Žilina last night dramatically changed the complexion of the race for play-off qualification.
Ireland entered the latest round of qualifiers intent on securing a minimum of four points from matches against Slovakia and Russia. That target, however, was derived from the assumption that Russia would beat Macedonia (which they just about did) and that Slovakia would beat Armenia at home (which they most certainly didn’t).
Slovakia’s 4-0 loss to Armenia last night means that Ireland emerge, somewhat improbably, from the international break in a more favourable position than they entered it, but it has also marked the Caucasians out as a threat not to be underestimated.
In fact, as Armenian midfielder Levon Hayrapetyan made clear to UEFA’s Tomas Cuncik and Rastislav Hribik last night, his players have begun to think seriously about qualification themselves:
Though it’s unlikely to play a direct role in deciding the outcome of the group, it’s worth noting that Armenia have now scored 17 goals in the qualifying campaign, six more than Ireland and a eleven more than Slovakia.
That 1-0 in Yerevan last year is beginning to look better and better.
Read more on this story at UEFA.com>
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