Celebrating Nikita Simonian's 75th birthday

[MosJan]

Celebrating Simonian

By Michael Harutiunian

ArmeniaWeek reporter

Even the persistent rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of celebrations to mark the 75th birthday of the legendary Ararat football coach Nikita Simonian.

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Hundreds of young people and dancers dressed in traditional Armenian costumes presented a colorful display of dancing ahead of a match between the reunited Ararat team of 1973 and an all-star Soviet Union XI at the Hrazdan Stadium in Yerevan.

 

Each player was introduced to the crowd, estimated at 15,000, running out onto the pitch with a junior footballer who had taken part in a boy's exhibition match at the stadium.

 

In a poignant moment, the crowd stood for a minute's silence to honor Ararat defender Alexander Kovalenko, who died earlier this month. Marking his absence, a lone boy from the junior team ran on to the pitch dressed in a white Ararat shirt.

 

The biggest cheer was reserved for Simonian who acknowledged the applause of the stadium and his former protégés. There followed a skilful - if inevitably slow-paced - match, which ended with honors even at 5-5.

 

Often during the game, the chant "Ararat, Ararat" rang out just as it did when capacaity crowds of 70,000 filled the Hrazdan Stadium in the team's heyday.

 

Under Simonian's leadership, Ararat won the USSR championship and the USSR Cup in 1973, a double feat which transformed the team into Armenian heroes. Neither before or since has Armenian football scaled such heights of achievement.

 

Referee Attacked

 

The president of Ararat Yerevan, Arkadi Andreasian, has received a 10-game ban, and could face further charges, after physically attacking the referee following his team's 2-0 defeat by Spartak Yerevan on the opening day of the new season.

 

Andreasian launched into a scathing oral attack on the country's leading referee, Karen Nalbandian, who responded by showing him a red card.

 

In an unprecedented display, Andreasian then threw punches at the referee before insulting the match delegate, Grigori Danielian. Andreasian then had to be restrained by police.

 

The Armenian Football Federation (AFF) handed Andreasian a $500 fine as well as the ban. It has also passed the matter on to its executive committee, which can impose further penalties, and asked the police to investigate the incident.

 

News in Brief

 

Spartak Yerevan have signed Russian goalkeeper Dmitri Vorobev to strengthen the team after considering and rejecting a number of other goalkeepers. The 24-year-old joins Spartak on a one-year deal after his contract with Russian second division side Kuban Krasnodar expired.

 

The Armenian premier league side has also invited Lithuania Under-21 players Marius Skinderis and Andrius Gedgaudas, and Ukrainian Andrei Chopenko to join its squad.

 

Skinderis, a central defender, and Gedgaudas, a midfielder, are moving from Ukrainian first division side Metalurg Donetsk in a one-year deal. Chopenko, a 26-year-old striker, has signed a two-year contract after moving from Belasitsa of Bulgaria.

 

Armenian midfielder Kiril Grigorian has signed a four-year contract with Torpedo Moscow after a number of impressive performances for the reserve team.

 

Midfielder Araik Stepanian has signed a three-year contract for Russian first-division side Alania Vladikavkaz. The 19-year-old Armenian joins Alania after a spell at Russian third-division side FC Vitiaz Krimsk.

 

The quarter final first leg matches of the Independence Cup took place on April 19 and 20. The return legs will be played April 26 and 27.

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Results:

 

Banants 1 - 2 Pyunik

(Banants - Gor Atabekian, 13. Pyunik - Mamadu Diavara, 70, 74)

 

Mika 0 - 1 Shirak

(Shirak - Karen Alexanian, 86)

 

Ararat 1 - 0 Spartak

(Ararat - Ezukam Elochukvu, 45)

 

Zvartnots 3 - 3 Dinamo-2000

(Zvartnots - Vardan Oganesian, 19 own goal, Sarkis Nazarian, 39, Never Khachatrian, 50.

Dinamo-2000 - Vahan Babaian, 3, Artiom Badalian, 59, Tigran Gspeian, 77)

Photos by Photolure

 

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