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Soccer: Minasyan Given Credit For Pyunik Success

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  • Soccer: Minasyan Given Credit For Pyunik Success

    MINASYAN GIVEN CREDIT FOR PYUNIK SUCCESS
    by Khachik Chakhoyan

    UEFA.com
    Dec 2 2008
    Switzerland

    FC Pyunik president Karen Arutyunyan said coach Vardan Minasyan was
    "not only a great teacher, but a great psychologist as well" after
    he led the club to an eighth successive title with a play-off victory
    against FC Ararat Yerevan.

    Title decider Hired to replace Armen Gyulbudagyants after a shaky
    start to the campaign, Minasyan's side were beaten 3-0 on aggregate
    by Anorthosis Famagusta FC in UEFA Champions League qualifying before
    dragging themselves back into the title race. Pyunik drew level on
    points with Ararat after the final scheduled game of the season,
    and then beat them 2-1 in added time in a specially-arranged title
    decider. "Ararat were not only league leaders, but they also played
    the best football in the country and won the Armenian Cup," said
    Minasyan, 34. Ararat looked to be in a class of their own at times,
    although FC Gandzasar Kapan, FC MIKA and FC Banants all harboured
    title hopes at various times.

    Motivational skills "In the middle of the season everybody dropped
    points," added Minsayan, who returned to club football following a
    spell with the national team. "We were able to reduce the deficit,
    although I was still pretty sure Ararat would win the title." The
    fact that Pyunik denied them stands as testament to Minsyan's skills
    as a coach and a motivator. After the final whistle in the golden
    game on 19 November, club president Arutyunyan said of the former
    Pyunik midfielder: "I was right about this group of players and
    about Minasyan as a head coach. He was not only a great teacher,
    but a great psychologist as well. He is a true professional who has
    reached the heights in his own very special way."

    International experience Pyunik's success was founded upon an
    indomitable spirit and a successful youth policy. Aside from Sargis
    Hovsepyan and Karen Dokhoyan, all of their players were aged between 18
    and 20. "Many of our players were in the national youth and U21 teams,"
    said Minasyan. "We even had four players selected for the senior
    team. This experience helped them to grow." Right-back Hovsepyan,
    meanwhile, underlined the culture of endeavour that prevailed among
    his team-mates. "Every club has it's own footballing philosophy,"
    the 36-year-old said. "We value the relationships between people. We
    always stayed united and believed in ourselves. Our fighting spirit
    helped us to win games where our opponents outplayed us."
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