SPORTSWORLD.AM
As part of the fourth round of the Fastex Premier League, Shirak Gyumri hosted the Armenian Super Cup winner Ararat-Armenia.
Eight of the last ten games between these teams have ended in a victory for Ararat-Armenia, two matches have ended in a draw. The Gyumri team last won over the Yerevan club in 2020 with a score of 1:0.
According to AFSCORE statistics, in the first half, both teams had an equal 50/50 possession of the ball, which was also evident from their play. Arsen Hovhannisyan's boys defended from deep until the end of the half.
For 40 minutes, the Black and Whites dictated their game to the opponent. Zhirayr Shaghoyan and his teammates had ten days of rest after the second leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round against Sparta Prague and had time to prepare well for this match.
During the first half, Kamo Hovhannisyan played impressively for Ararat-Armenia and could have scored a goal. Everything was different for Shirak. Gyumri midfielders Vazgen Sargsyan, 20, and Rafik Misakyan, 25, showed competent football, taking into account the opponent.
The rest of the first half was spent in alternating attacks and the teams went into the break with the score tied at 0:0. In the second half, Ararat-Armenia head coach Manuel Tulipa switched to attacking football and Hovhannisyan had his own place in that style of play, but the Portuguese specialist replaced him by bringing Hugo Oliveira onto the field.
Three minutes before the end of the regular time, Shirak managed to end the match with a victory thanks to Rafik Minasyan. After a 98-minute uncompromising struggle, after a corner kick from Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Arayik Eloyan, who was left free by the Gyumri defenders in the penalty area, scored the first goal for Ararat-Armenia in the 99th minute of the match and brought victory to his team.
In the next round, Arayik Eloyan and his friends will host Yerevan's Ararat at home, while Shirak will host Kapan's Gandzasar.
Manuel Tulipa's men increase their points tally to four, taking sixth place in the standings. Shirak has one point and was in ninth place.
PHOTO: "ARARAT-ARMENIA" FC