Football / Soccer

[Yervant1]

ARMENCHIK INVITES TO LA GALAXY-SHIRAK MATCH

http://sport.news.am/eng/news/34770/armenchik-invites-to-la-galaxy-shirak-match.html
January 10, 2014

Armenchik, a singer famous in Armenia and Diaspora, released a video
inviting everyone to FC Shirak vs. Los Angeles Galaxy friendly.

FC Shirak, the reigning champions in the Armenian Premier League
football, will play against the club of Major League Soccer in a
preseason game on February 8 at StubHub Center stadium in Carson,
California, USA.

Earlier Armenian national squad forward Yura Movsisyan invited fans
to attend the friendly match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5NHlEGsqRY

[Yervant1]

SOCCER: ARMENIA CLIMBS TO RECORD HIGH ON FIFA RANKINGS

http://armenianow.com/sports/soccer/51988/armenia_soccer_fifa_rankings_record
SOCCER | 13.02.14 | 15:22

International soccer's governing body, FIFA, has ranked Armenia 30th
in its latest list of 200 or so nations released on Thursday.

The standing, which is an improvement by eight positions since the
previous listing, is the highest achieved by the nation since it
joined international soccer in the mid-1990s.

Armenia has 771 points and its immediate neighbors in the rating are
Serbia (29th, 775 points) and the Czech Republic (31st, 760 points).

The list is topped by Spain (1505 points), followed by Germany and
Argentina.

[Yervant1]

http://asbarez.com/App/Asbarez/images/asbarez_01_460x101.jpg

Monday, February 24th, 2014

 

Armenia Draws Portugal, Denmark for Euro Qualifiers

http://asbarez.com/App/Asbarez/eng/2014/02/euro-2016.jpg

The Euro 2016 will be hosted by France

PARIS—Armenia, ranked 30th in the FIFA World Soccer Rankings, was drawn in the same group as Portugal (No. 4), Denmark (No.20), Serbia (No.29), and Albania (No.55) for the qualifying stages of the UEFA Euro 2016 soccer tournament.

The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to play in the Euro 2016 tournament, which will take place in France. France, having already qualified as the host nation, will play in Group “I” as well, but their results will not affect the outcome of the group.

Armenia is looking to build on a very successful World Cup qualifying campaign, although falling short of qualifying for the biggest tournament in the world.

Armenia will field a very talented and young squad with an average age of 25 and could edge Denmark for the coveted 2nd spot to advance.

In Euro 2012 qualifying, Armenia failed to advance and placed 3rd.

Portugal seems to be the favorite in the group but often has a tough time in the qualifying stages. Therefore, no team has an easy route and no team should be taken lightly.

Armenia goalkeeper and captain Roman Berezovsky was quoted saying, “[This is] not an easy group, but the others can say that too. I am sure that every team will be fighting to finish as high as possible. It has been a long time since Armenia was feared by big names. Our win in Denmark is just the latest proof. We have to keep proving that everything is possible in modern football.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan were not allowed to be drawn together for political reasons.

Next up for Armenia is a friendly against Russia in Krasnodar on March 5.

[Yervant1]

Armenia Beats Emirates 4 - 3

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/123476/armenia-beats-emirates-4-%E2%80%93-3/

Armenia's national sooccer team


GENEVA--Armenia's national soccer team won their friendly face-off
against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday in Switzerland with a
final score of 4 - 3 at Geneva's Stade de la Fontenette Carouge.

The score line was opened by Armenia's Levon Hayrapetyan with a goal
at the 37th minutes, but the two teams would stay level pegging for
much of the game. First came a response by the Emirates' Ismail Ahmed
making it 1 - 1, then Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan with a
goal in net to make it 2 - 1 before half-time.

At the outset of the second half, the UAE's Omar Abdulrahman equalized
again before Armenia took the lead by two goals from striker Yura
Movsisyan and midfielder Rumyan Hovsepyan who scored within four
minutes of one another.

The UAE's Mohanad Salem found the target at the 85th minute, but it
was too late for an equalizer and the score was 4 - 3 for Armenia at
the full-time whistle.

The match was the first for Armenia's new coach Bernard Challandes,
who has scheduled two more friendly matches before the start of the
World Cup and before the start of Armenia's next Euro 2016 qualifying
campaign, which will start in September.

Armenia will face Algeria next on Saturday, May 31, and then Germany
on Friday, June 6, just ahead of the start of the World Cup.

[MosJan]

Was a nice game

[Yervant1]

I know, the UAE team was impressive as well. The Armenian team's fast passing is great, I think Euro 2016 will include Armenia.

[MosJan]

kaprenq ktesnenq

[Yervant1]

ARTSAKH'S NATIONAL TEAM OFF TO SWEDEN TO PARTICIPATE IN CONIFA WORLD FOOTBALL CUP 2014

15:50 29.05.2014

Football, Nagorno-Karabakh

The national football team of Artsakh has left for Sweden to
participate in the first ever World Cup held for teams outside
international soccer's governing body, FIFA.

The tournament to be held in Ostersund, in central Sweden, will be
hosted by the Sapmi people, also known as Laplanders. It is to be
held under the aegis of ConIFA, a global umbrella organization for
all the football teams outside FIFA.

Twelve teams that will participate in the tournament: Abkhazia,
Countea de Nissa, Ellan Vannin, Nagorno-Karabakh, Padania, South
Ossetia, Arameans Suryoye, Darfur United, Kurdistan, Association
Occitania de Fotbol, Sapmi and Tamil Eelam.

The National team of Nagorno Karabakh has been drawn into Group D
together with Ellan Vannin and Countea de Nissa FA.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/05/29/artsakhs-national-team-off-to-sweden-to-participate-in-conifa-world-football-cup-2014/

[Yervant1]

For sure Algeria was the better side in this match, Armenia needs a much better defense.

 

International Friendly: Algeria 3 Armenia 1

22:07 31.05.2014


The Armenian national team lost 1-3 to Algeria in a friendly held in
Syon, Switzerland.

All of Algeria's goals came in the first half, defender Essaid
Belkalem putting them in front early with a scrappy close-range
finish.

Nabil Ghilas then doubled the advantage before Islam Slimani
effectively made sure of victory with Algeria's third.

Armenia, 33rd in the FIFA rankings compared to Algeria's 25, pulled
one back within a minute of the re-start when halftime substitute
Artur Sarkisov burst clear and beat Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche with a
low shot.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/05/31/international-friendly-algeria-3-armenia-1/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2A5lDIxk6U

 

[Yervant1]

Good Luck Armenia, this should be a real test!

 

Swiss head coach of Armenia’s national soccer team wants to change mentality of the team

http://arka.am.images.1c-bitrix-cdn.ru/upload/resize_cache/iblock/ef3/344_258_2/ef3df3a47d07fed444d9e7025aade6ac.jpg?140205165874878

 

YEREVAN, June 6. / ARKA /. The Swiss head coach of Armenia’s national soccer team, Bernard Challandes, said today he wants to change the mentality of the Armenian team. Armenians are playing a friendly match today versus Germany in Mainz.

"I want to change the mentality of our team to make them play not only on counterattacks, but also to show good attacking football, “Challandes was quoted as saying by the Armenian Football Federation.

Speaking about the upcoming match against the Germans, the Swiss specialist said this game is very important for the Armenian team because ‘such an opportunity to play against a first class steam is not given every day." He said he has worked with the team for 12 days only and needs time to achieve good results.

Armenia’s squad held two friendly games in May. It beat on May 27 the United Arab Emirates 4-3 and lost 1-3 to Algeria on May 31. Both games were played in Switzerland.

Armenia’s national team is gearing up for Euro 2016 qualifying games. It is in the group One together with Portugal, Denmark, Serbia and Albania. -0-

- See more at: http://arka.am/en/news/sport/swiss_head_coach_of_armenia_s_national_soccer_team_wants_to_change_mentality_of_the_team/#sthash.v2ja9oBb.dpuf

 

[Yervant1]

Friendly!

Germany 6, Armenia 1

 

Big test alright!

[Yervant1]

ITALY'S DEFENDER MATTEO DARMIAN IS OF ARMENIAN DESCENT
http://www.horizonweekly.ca/upload_files/wysiwyg/Matteo-2.jpg
June 15, 2014

Matteo Darmian, the 24 year old defender of Italy's national soccer
team is of armenian descent.

Born in the northern Italian town of Legnano, he played for AC Milan,
before making his first debut in a Coppa Italia match in November 2006.

His fortunes changed when Torino decided to sign him on a permanent
deal. Earning a regular starting place as the 2012/13 season got under
way, he established himself as one of the best full-backs in Serie A.

A first choice also at every age level for Italy, Darmian caught the
eye of Cesare Prandelli during another fine season with the Turin club
and was invited to a national team training camp in March 2014, the
prelude to his appearance in the coach's 23-man list for Brazil 2014.

2 International Caps

0 International Goals

24 years old

182cm

FIRST INTERNATIONAL Italy - Republic of Ireland 31 May 2014

DATE OF BIRTH02 Dec 1989

CURRENT CLUB Torino FC (ITA)

Fifa.com http://www.horizonweekly.ca/news/details/40910

[Yervant1]

ITALY'S DARMIAN LIVING THE DREAM

Fifa.com
June 24 2014

As Italy revelled in their opening 2-1 victory against England, one
question kept recurring among their vanquished Group D rivals: "Who
is Matteo Darmian?" The full-back was one of the stars of the show,
yet he had seemed to come out of nowhere to help La Squadra Azzurra
kick off with a win. Perhaps the real question ought to be why such
a versatile, gifted defender, and a rare gem in a tough position to
fill, had been allowed to slip through so many nets since turning
professional in 2007.

"If you'd told me eight months ago that I'd be playing in the
World Cup, I would have burst out laughing," commented the quiet
24-year-old, who is almost the polar opposite of the stereotypical
modern footballer. "It was a childhood dream, but, honestly, I
didn't think I'd get here. Since getting my first call-up, though,
I've given everything while staying humble. I want to make the most
of this opportunity."

Born to a family with Armenian roots in the Lombardy town of Legnano,
Darmian got his first taste of the game like so many local youngsters:
by wearing his shoes out and putting holes in his trousers on the
main square in Rescaldina, where his father coached the local football
team. His first real break came when he was spotted by Beniamino Abate,
a former goalkeeper tasked with scouting Lombardy for young talent
by AC Milan. Coincidentally, Abate is also the father of Rossoneri
defender Ignazio Abate, Darmian's direct rival for a starting berth
with La Nazionale.

Long before Brazil 2014, Darmian entered Milan's youth academy at
the age of 14. His Serie A debut followed three years later on 19
May 2007, when Carlo Ancelotti sent him on from the bench to replace
Giuseppe Favalli against Udinese. The newcomer initially operated in
the centre of defence before gradually being used more regularly on
the right, and he soon displayed similar effectiveness at left-back
as well. But while that versatility ought to have added to Darmian's
value, his career was already beginning to unravel.

Torino turnaround Nobody at Milan could fault Darmian, particularly
given his excellent technique and impressive bursts of speed, but
he simply did not fit into the club's plans. In five seasons between
2006 and July 2012, he made just 15 Serie A appearances, with much of
that period spent on loan at Padova, Palermo and Torino. He refused to
let his head drop, however, not least since he remained a regular for
Italy at various youth levels until 2009, and he focused on redoubling
his efforts.

Further disappointment nonetheless lay in store, and in summer 2012
Milan decided to release him permanently to Palermo - who immediately
passed him on to Torino.

"If I'm in Brazil now, it's largely thanks to Torino coach Giampiero
Ventura and President [urbano] Cairo, who really wanted me, and the
exceptional atmosphere at the club," explained Darmian following the
England match. "If that hadn't been the case, I never would have had
a chance like this." As it was, he was able to find stability with
I Granata and rapidly forged an understanding with his team-mates,
especially fellow Italy internationals Alessio Cerci and Ciro
Immobile. The conditions were right for him to blossom at last.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli duly took note and, keen to evaluate
promising young players, he called Darmian up twice for a series of
trials. "Not only did he show great enthusiasm, he quickly understood
what I was looking for in that position," noted Prandelli. The praise
has not abated since, though Darmian rejects the suggestion that he
resembles a certain Paolo Maldini at the same age. "When I was younger,
I got a chance to train with him. It's too flattering a comparison for
me. It's too early." Neither is he letting his head be turned by bigger
clubs, refusing to listen to several offers from prestigious outfits.

For now, Darmian is fully focused on the task at hand as he lives
a dream-come-true experience in Brazil. And that dream could well
continue yet if Italy secure at least a point against Uruguay.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=italy-s-darmian-living-the-dream-2383213.html

[Arpa]

SOCCER v FOOTBALL

 

As long as I have been in America I never learned the concept of that so called savagely primitive thing they call Football., when many of the players end up with brain damage from concussions. Where is the FOOT, where is the BALL? Except when Garo Yepremian kicked that thing with his bare FOOT.** my big foot in my big mouth again.

McCain Foot in Mouth

http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/8/6/2/mccain-foot-in-mouth-lk0504.jpg

It is so boring, when they say a minute to the end and it goes for 10 boring hours of stop, stop again and stop a million times..

** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garo_Yepremian

This is a spherical ball

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ec/Soccer_ball.svg

This is not. At times also called a pigskin. Do jews and muslims play with it?

http://thebigpigskin.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/new-big-pigskin1.jpg

Have you ever wondered where the word SOCCER comes from?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football#Etymology_and_names

Etymology and names

Main article: Names for association football

The rules of association football were codified in England by the Football Association in 1863 and the name association football was coined to distinguish the game from the other forms of football played at the time, specifically rugby football. The term soccer originated in England, first appearing in the 1880s as an Oxford "-er" abbreviation of the word "association".[34]

Within the English-speaking world, association football is now usually called football in the United Kingdom, and mainly soccer in Canada and the United States. Other countries, such as Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, may use either or both terms interchangeably.

====

Below an article that on the surface looks like astraightforward , yet if you read it you will see that it tongue in cheek sarcasm.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/26/ann-coulter-soccer_n_5534494.html

 

Conservative pundit Ann Coulter is known for her questionable, often offensive rants, but her latest tirade is pure trolling of soccer fans everywhere.

In a syndicated column published less than 24 hours before what was perhaps the U.S. team's most important game in nearly four years -- when most soccer supporters were likely too busy and nervous to bother to respond to tired anti-soccer arguments --Coulter argued that a growing interest in the sport is a sign of America's "moral decay."

"Do they even have MVPs in soccer? Everyone just runs up and down the field and, every once in a while, a ball accidentally goes in," Coulter writes, not bothering to check if her question actually has an answer (it does). "That's when we're supposed to go wild. I'm already asleep."

Among the reasons Coulter says she thinks soccer is horrible: liberal moms love it; some games end in scoreless ties; you can't use your hands; it's foreign; and it's like the metric system.

We wouldn't have wasted the time rebutting Coulter earlier today, but with the U.S. now through to the next round, we're here to help you understand just how stupid some of her claims are:

"I've held off on writing about soccer for a decade or about the length of the average soccer game so as not to offend anyone."

We could have waited another 10 years, but it's worth noting that World Cup soccer is actually almost always a 90-minute game, with a 15-minute halftime break and a few minutes added on for stoppage time. While games can go longer for extra time and possibly penalties in knockout rounds, game times are usually predictable, and much shorter than other major American sports, which have commercial breaks, timeouts and other general stoppages in play, which also halt the clock.

"There are no heroes, no losers, no accountability, and no child's fragile self-esteem is bruised."

In the U.S. World Cup game against Portugal, defender Geoff Cameron had a crucial miscue, which led to an early gift of goal. And how about U.S. player Jermaine Jones' rocket of a goal to tie it up -- was that not a heroic display of individual skill? And ask Argentinians if Lionel Messi isn't a national hero.

"Do they even have MVPs in soccer?"

Actually, yes! What Americans know as the most valuable player is called the "man of the match" in soccer. You can find a list of those guys from this year's World Cup matches right here. There's also a Golden Boot and a Golden Ball awarded to the highest goal scorer and best overall player in the World Cup.

"Everyone just runs up and down the field and, every once in a while, a ball accidentally goes in."

It's true, players do run a lot, to the tune of 100-plus kilometers -- or for Coulter, more than 62 miles -- per team, per game. The U.S. team ran 114 km -- about 71 miles -- in its loss to Germany, and midfielder Michael Bradley ran 13 km alone.

"The prospect of either personal humiliation or major injury is required to count as a sport."

Coulter must not know about U.S. forward Clint Dempsey, who's been playing in this World Cup with a broken nose, or any number of players who may or may not have suffered concussions, only to soldier on through the rest of the game. The players union recently brought this issue up to FIFA, the World Cup's governing body.

Whether or not risk of major injury or humiliation should be a requirement to be considered a sport, soccer possesses both. Coulter has clearly never listened to an interview with a soccer player, like Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who retired from international soccer following the humiliation of a costly blunder in the 2010 World Cup, only to return this year for a shot at redemption. She must also not be aware of the tragic story of Colombian defender Andrés Escobar, who was murdered in his home country in 1994 following an own goal that led to his team's untimely exit from the World Cup. Many believe his death was a result of the mistake

"It's foreign."

Well, this isn't the first time Coulter has hated something for being "foreign," so, what can we say?

In her attempts to fight claims that soccer is not, in fact, getting more popular, Coulter guarantees that "No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer." Sounds like an airtight argument, just like the rest of them. Too bad for Coulter, though, that the U.S. team survived Group G -- the so-called group of death -- and will advance into the round of 16 at the World Cup. Let's see how many fourth-generation Americans tune in then.

Don't get us wrong, Coulter -- you should feel free to hate soccer. But before you go writing a column about how doing so is "America's Favorite National Pastime," try formulating an argument that doesn't end up proving just how idiotic that "pastime" is.

The U.S. team will face the winner of Group H on Tuesday, July 1, at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador. They'll face Belgium.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that halftime breaks in the World Cup are 20 minutes. They are 15

Edited June 29, 2014 by Arpa

[Yervant1]

EURO 2016: TIME FOR ARMENIA'S MEN TO DELIVER IS NOW

The National, UAE
Oct 10 2014

Jonathan Wilson
October 9, 2014

At such an early stage of the qualification campaign, with the top two
in each group to qualify and third place guaranteed a play-off place,
there is no need to panic.

But football does not just hinge on points and performances;
perception also matters, which makes Armenia's qualifier at home to
Serbia tomorrow of great significance.

Nobody is sure any more what Armenia are. For 20 years after the
collapse of the Soviet Union, they were just another minnow.

But then, suddenly, in qualifying for the last European Championships,
they had three straight wins, scored 11 goals in the process and
played fluid, neat, attacking -football.

Without warning they became a breakout side, a team that could cast
aside the predictability of modern football on the back of a young
generation of players, who, together, were far more than the sum of
their parts.

A red card for their goalkeeper and an own goal in their final
qualifier - away to the Republic of Ireland - cost Armenia a place in
the play-offs, but the assumption was that the side, led by Borussia
Dortmund's attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, would continue
to progress.

Then they finished second bottom of their World Cup qualifying group,
but there are mitigating circumstances.

It was a tough and tight group and Armenia did achieve some good
results, most notably winning 4-0 away to Denmark.

But even though they finished just three points off second place,
there was a sense of progress stalled. Vardan Minasyan was replaced as
manager by the former Switzerland Under 21 coach Bernard Challandes,
but his start was disappointing as Armenia lost 2-1 in Denmark.

With Albania winning 1-0 in Portugal, the group now looks a genuine
five-way fight, or at least it will if Armenia can get off the mark.

Serbia, though, also has a fine crop of emerging talent and Armenia
will be hampered by the foot injury that has ruled out Mkhitaryan.

That Armenia are even considered contenders for qualification is a
sign of their enhanced status.

Their greatest moment as a football nation came in 1973 when Ararat
Yerevan, which functioned as a de facto national side in Soviet times,
won an unexpected double under Nikita Simonyan, who had already won
the double as a player and coach at Spartak Moscow.

He was of Armenian heritage and had essentially been exiled to his
homeland following disagreements with officials at Spartak.

"It was much harder to win the league with Ararat than it was with
Spartak Moscow," Simonyan said. "We had some good players, but
essentially we were a provincial side. I had to change my personal
style, because the players had a different mentality.

"We had two Ukrainians in the side, but they had lived in Yerevan
from childhood, so they had adopted the spirit of the people.

"Players from the south are more skilful, more technical, even if
it is bad for the team as a collective. You have to stick them to
each other."

That process of sticking the players to each other, of creating a
cohesive unit in which they can express their individual ability,
probably began under the former Sunderland midfielder and Chelsea
manager Ian Porterfield, who took charge in 2006 and oversaw 10 games
before his death from cancer the following year.

Although just two were wins, what was significant was that only nine
goals were conceded.

Minasyan had served as Porterfield's assistant and took over from him
as caretaker. "The results do not suddenly come out of the blue,"
he said. "We have many young players who have earned the coaches'
trust and have a clear understanding of what needs to be done.

"Our football is based on mutual trust. Everyone has the same approach,
be it the coaches, the players, the Football Federation of Armenia
or our team doctors. We are a whole and healthy mechanism."

The squad is still young, the majority of players in their early 20s,
but there is a sense that the clock is ticking, that promise can soon
wither if there is not progress towards fulfilment.

Given the nature of the group, and given how important momentum is,
Armenia could do with starting to deliver tomorrow.

http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/euro-2016-time-for-armenias-men-to-deliver-is-now

[Yervant1]

Today just about over one hour later Armenia plays Serbia. Good luck boys!!!!!!!!

[Yervant1]

Armenia 1:1 Serbia

It ended in a tie, unfortunately Armenia couldn't convert the penalty into a goal with two tries and gave up the tying goal at ninetieth minute.

[Yervant1]

ARMENIAN ANDRANIK TEYMOURIAN THE FIRST CHRISTIAN TO LEAD IRAN'S FOOTBALL TEAM

18:03, 01 Jun 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

In April, Iranian Armenian Andranik Teymourian, who has played for
Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, became the first Christian to lead Iran's
football team as its permanent captain, according to The Guardian.

"I'm happy that as a Christian I play in a Muslim team," he said in
a recent interview. "I have Armenian roots but I hold the Iranian
passport and I'm proud of that, I hold my flag high. I hope I can
enhance the good reputation of Armenian people in Iran."

According to The Guardian, ethnic Armenians make up the majority of
Iran's estimated 300,000 Christians. Armenians are fully integrated
in Iranian society, from the musician Loris Tjeknavorian to Sombat
Hacoupian, who founded one of the country's most famous men's clothing
brands and is now a household name.

Although Islam is Iran's official religion, it recognizes Christians,
Jews and Zoroastrians as accepted religious minorities. They are
permitted their house of worship and usual religious services, and
have reserved seats in the Iranian parliament. In a country where
alcohol and pigmeat are forbidden, Christians are allowed to distil
booze and eat pork.

There are at least 600 churches in Iran, including the sixth-century
St Mary Church of Tabriz, mentioned by Marco Polo in his travel book
and the ancient St Thaddeus Monastery, a Unesco world heritage site.

In April, as Iran's northern neighbour, Armenia, commemorated the
centenary of the 1915 genocide, the Iranian government, which is
usually nervous about public gatherings, took a rare decision to
allow Iranian Armenians to stage a protest in front of the Turkish
embassy in Tehran.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/01/first-christian-football-captain-in-iran-as-rouhani-puts-focus-on-minorities

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/06/01/armenian-andranik-teymourian-the-first-christian-to-lead-irans-football-team/

[Yervant1]

MATTEO DARMIAN REPORTEDLY SET TO BECOME BAYERN'S FIRST SUMMER SIGNING

12:50, 10 Jun 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Arsenal and Manchester United target Matteo Darmian is on the verge
of joining Bayern Munich from Torino, it has been claimed, accoring
to Inside Futbol.

The 25-year-old Italian international has grabbed headlines this
summer as a number of top clubs are involved in a mad scramble to
acquire his signature.

Arsenal and Manchester United have maintained a long term interest
in the full-back and were hoping to take him to England this summer
but the German powerhouses seemed to have beaten them to the post.

German champions Bayern Munich have been on his trail and it has been
claimed that they are on the verge of clinching Darmian's signature.

According to Italian daily Tuttosport, the Bavarians are close
to agreeing a deal worth â~B¬16m plus add-ons with Torino for the
transfer of the Italian right-back.

Other than enjoying an impressive season with Torino, Darmian has
also established himself in the Italian national team and has earned
11 caps for the Azzurri.

According to Vavel.com, the right-back of an Armenian origin played
46 matches for Torino in Serie A and Europa League this season,
scoring twice and assisting one goal.

At Bayern, Darmian could become an alternative to Rafinha, who
played as a right-back in the most important matches in Bundesliga
and Champions League.

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2015/06/09/bayern-munich-closing-rapidly-on-arsenal-linked-matteo-darmian/213466/

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/06/10/matteo-darmian-reportedly-set-to-become-bayerns-first-summer-signing/

[Yervant1]

World Cup 2018 Qualifier: Armenia Drawn with Romania, Denmark, Poland,
Montenegro and Kazakhstan

by MassisPost July 25, 2015, 4:49 pm


ST PETERSBURG ' Europe's 52 entrants have learned their 2018 FIFA
World Cup qualifying fate following the draw in St Petersburg on
Saturday.

All the UEFA national associations were involved except for Russia,
who qualify automatically as hosts, and non-FIFA members Gibraltar.
They were drawn into seven groups of six teams and two of five.
Armenia will compete in Group E against Romania, Denmark, Poland,
Montenegro and Kazakhstan.

The nine group winners will advance directly to the final tournament,
with the eight best runners-up with the best record against the teams
first, third, fourth and fifth in their groups proceeding to play-offs
to decide the remaining four European berths.

World Cup 2018, Europe Qualifying Round Groups:
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg
Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, N. Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino
Group D: Wales, Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia
Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan
Group F: England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta
Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein
Group H: Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus
Group I: Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

http://massispost.com/2015/07/world-cup-2018-qualifier-armenia-drawn-with-romania-denmark-poland-montenegro-and-kazakhstan/

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Armenia Defeats Ireland 2–1 in Yerevan to Claim First World Cup Qualifying Victory

Armenia’s national team celebrated a vital 2–1 win over Ireland at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, marking their first victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers.

Eduard Spertsyan opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time (45+1’), giving Armenia a crucial lead before the break. Just minutes into the second half, Grant-Leon Ranos doubled Armenia’s advantage in the 51st minute with a clinical finish. Ireland responded through Evan Ferguson in the 57th, and Artur Serobyan had a goal disallowed in the late stages due to VAR, but Armenia’s defense held firm to secure all three points.

The win lifts Armenia to second place in Group F with three points, while Ireland drops to fourth with one point. Later tonight, Hungary will host Portugal in the group’s other fixture.

Armenia’s next qualifier comes on October 10 against Hungary, a matchup that could prove decisive in the push for World Cup qualification.

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