Porterfield battles to lead Armenia

[Nargizian David]

Porterfield battles to lead Armenia
Wednesday 15 August 2007

Having named his squad for the qualifier Coach Ian
Porterfield is hoping to lead Armenia against Portugal
despite currently receiving cancer treatment in
England.

Cancer treatment
The 61-year-old Scotsman left Armenia two months ago
to receive treatment for a cancerous growth in his
intestines but said that he is determined to return to
the Armenian capital for Wednesday's game as his side
seek a third successive UEFA EURO 2008' qualifying
win. "I want to be with my team and to try to fight
against such strong opponents despite everything,' he
said. `Portugal are one of the leading forces in
European football but can play our game."
Porterfield's 22-man squad includes two changes, with
FC Ararat defender Hrajr Mkoyan receiving a first
call-up while FC MIKA goalkeeper Felix Hakobyan
replaces the injured Gevorg Kasparov.

Armenia squad
Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovski (FC Khimki), Felix
Hakobyan (FC MIKA).

Defenders: Robert Arzumanyan (FC Pyunik), Karen
Dokhoyan (FC Pyunik), Sargis Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik),
Aleksander Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik), Vahagn Minasyan (FC
Ararat Yerevan), Hrajr Mkoyan (FC Ararat Yerevan),
Yegishe Melikyan (FC Banants), Ararat Arakelyan (FC
Banants).

Midfielders: Hamlet Mkhitaryan (FC Pyunik), Romik
Khachatryan (AFC Unirea Valahorum Urziceni), Artavazd
Karamyan (FCU Politehnica Timisoara), Levon Pchajyan
(FC Pyunik), Artur Minasyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Artur
Voskanyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (FC
Pyunik), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants), Agvan
Lazarian (FC Pyunik).

Forwards: Arman Karamyan (FCU Politehnica Timisoara),
Aram Hakobyan (FC Banants), Gevorg Ghazaryan (FC
Pyunik), Robert Zebelyan (FC Khimki).

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