July 14,
2020
Ararat-Armenia
vs Noah 14.30 UK Time
Shirak vs
Alashkert 14.30 UK Time
So, after
27 matches the champions of the Armenian Premier League will be determined by
the outcome of the “winner takes all” match between Ararat-Armenia and FC Noah
on Tuesday. Both clubs are new boys on the scene, both being only founded in
2017.
Defending
Champions Ararat-Armenia are in pole position, as a draw will be sufficient to
maintain their one point lead at the top of the table. However, they are not in
the greatest of form, having won only one of their last 5 matches, and that
required an 88th minute winner in the last match they played to beat
an Ararat side on a run of just 2 draws in 8 matches. Discipline has also not
been good recently, with three red cards in their last 4 matches.
FC Noah
are in their first season in the top division of football in Armenia, but there
are a few reasons why they could be viewed as favourites to go on and win their
first title.
Firstly,
there are on a good run, having won their last 4 league matches, the last match
being another must win game, overcoming Shirak in a feisty encounter to end
Shirak’s title hopes and keep theirs alive. The 4-0 score line was flattering
though, as Shirak had two men sent-off and conceded three goals in the last 15
minutes as their dreams evaporated.
Noah also
have perhaps a psychological advantage of having beaten Ararat-Armenia in
Friday’s Armenian Cup Final. In a totally bizarre match, they won a penalty
shoot-out after a 5-5 draw after extra time. Ararat-Armenia were 3-0 up after 28
minutes thanks to a suspiciously looking offside ( there is no VAR in Armenia
), an unfortunately deflected own goal after a clearance hit the defender, and
a tap-in after a counter attack. Although Noah pulled one back after a
goal-keeping error, another rapid counter attack as Noah chased the game made
it 4-1 at half-time.
With the heavens opening ( fortunately not for 40 days !
), Noah scored a remarkable three times in ten minutes to leave the game at 4-4
with 25 minutes remaining. Noah hit the post near the end and then deep into
injury time Ararat-Armenia lost possession on half-way and Noah had a 2 v 1
break. In his efforts to halt the attack, Ivorian defender Alphonse first
brought down the first attacker, and then the second forward just outside the
area for a match saving red card ( which could have been two ! ). The free-kick
came to nothing, but Noah had the advantage of the extra man going into extra
time.
The game
seemed over with five minutes left when Azarov tucked home a softly awarded
penalty for Noah, but almost immediately Sanogo broke down the left for Ararat-Armenia and
Otubanjo’s calm finish levelled the match again. Both sides missed twice in the
regulation shoot-out to send it into sudden death, before Noah finally won 7-6.
The match
between Shirak and Alashkert will probably determine who finishes third in the
table, but both sides have already secured their Europa League places. Alashkert
will overtake Shirak if they win, and they have the best away record in the
league. They also won their last match 5-1. Shirak though have only lost twice at home all season and could
actually finish second if they win and Noah lose to Ararat-Armenia. Much could depend on how
much of a hangover they have after the defeat at Noah ended their championship
hopes.
Unfortunately
the Lori versus Ararat game has been cancelled due to an outbreak of Covid-19
in the Lori squad, and with nothing at stake the match has been awarded as a
3-0 win to Ararat in order the end the season.
How To Watch :
All matches so far have been shown live on the Armenian Football Federation
YouTube channel, with the link being posted less than two hours before kick-off.
Highlights will be available on the Armenian-soccer.com YouTube channel.
Postscript :Two first half goals enabled Ararat-Armenia to overcome Noah 2-0, and clinch their second consecutive Armenian Premier League title.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI6erew_CzU
Alashkert won 4-2 at Shirak to overtake them and claim third place.
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