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WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP B: ARMENIA SECURE 2-1 WIN OVER THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Sky Sports
Sept 6 2013
Last Updated: September 6, 2013 8:06pm
Gevorg Ghazaryan struck in injury time to earn Armenia a 2-1 victory
over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group B qualifier.
The Shakhter Karagandy striker's goal, which arrived in the 92nd
minute, gave the minnows an unexpected win on the road and allowed
them to move level on points with their hosts.
The Czechs started the night third in Group B, a point behind Bulgaria,
and with the second-placed side facing leaders Italy, the chance to
steal a march was there.
They started well and dominated early on, but fell behind to Karlen
Lazarian's stunner. They would level through Tomas Rosicky, but
Ghazaryan had the last word to secure a famous Armenian win which
moves them on to nine points also.
Their success went against all the pre-match predictions and as if
to make it all the sweeter, they had been forced to ride an early
wave of pressure.
Just 74 seconds had passed when Petr Jiracek had the first shot of
the game, working Roman Berezovsky, before David Limbersky hit wide.
Jiracek then rattled in another shot which went away from goal and
both Josef Husbauer and Michal Rabusic chimed in with wayward efforts
which at least kept the pressure on.
The weight of traffic heading Armenia's way was overpowering but
the home side could not cash it in, with Rabusic hitting wide after
Berezovsky could only parry Plasil's shot.
Armenia were fortunate to be level but, somehow, they took the
lead with 31 minutes gone, punishing the Czechs for their generous
finishing.
Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lazarian was the man on the spot, cracking
in a brilliant 30-yarder to put his side in front with a Petr Cech
helpless.
Few could believe what had happened and Armenia looked to make the
most of their moment, with Levon Hayrapetyan having a follow-up effort
charged down.
The Czechs were clearly stunned and Rabusic's header over was the
closest they went to a response before the break, as Armenia impressed,
with Henrikh Mkhitaryan seeing a shot charged down.
Rabusic went close with another effort after the interval but was
lacking in support and the chances became more evenly spread, with
Ghazaryan hitting wide at the other end.
The Czechs would get the goal their early if not later play deserved,
however, with old-stager Rosicky pulling them level from the edge of
the area with 20 minutes left.
Arsenal man Rosicky and then Husbauer tried to complete a total
turnaround, but it was not to be and Ghazaryan had the last say from
12 yards.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253626/report
Sky Sports
Sept 6 2013
Last Updated: September 6, 2013 8:06pm
Gevorg Ghazaryan struck in injury time to earn Armenia a 2-1 victory
over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group B qualifier.
The Shakhter Karagandy striker's goal, which arrived in the 92nd
minute, gave the minnows an unexpected win on the road and allowed
them to move level on points with their hosts.
The Czechs started the night third in Group B, a point behind Bulgaria,
and with the second-placed side facing leaders Italy, the chance to
steal a march was there.
They started well and dominated early on, but fell behind to Karlen
Lazarian's stunner. They would level through Tomas Rosicky, but
Ghazaryan had the last word to secure a famous Armenian win which
moves them on to nine points also.
Their success went against all the pre-match predictions and as if
to make it all the sweeter, they had been forced to ride an early
wave of pressure.
Just 74 seconds had passed when Petr Jiracek had the first shot of
the game, working Roman Berezovsky, before David Limbersky hit wide.
Jiracek then rattled in another shot which went away from goal and
both Josef Husbauer and Michal Rabusic chimed in with wayward efforts
which at least kept the pressure on.
The weight of traffic heading Armenia's way was overpowering but
the home side could not cash it in, with Rabusic hitting wide after
Berezovsky could only parry Plasil's shot.
Armenia were fortunate to be level but, somehow, they took the
lead with 31 minutes gone, punishing the Czechs for their generous
finishing.
Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lazarian was the man on the spot, cracking
in a brilliant 30-yarder to put his side in front with a Petr Cech
helpless.
Few could believe what had happened and Armenia looked to make the
most of their moment, with Levon Hayrapetyan having a follow-up effort
charged down.
The Czechs were clearly stunned and Rabusic's header over was the
closest they went to a response before the break, as Armenia impressed,
with Henrikh Mkhitaryan seeing a shot charged down.
Rabusic went close with another effort after the interval but was
lacking in support and the chances became more evenly spread, with
Ghazaryan hitting wide at the other end.
The Czechs would get the goal their early if not later play deserved,
however, with old-stager Rosicky pulling them level from the edge of
the area with 20 minutes left.
Arsenal man Rosicky and then Husbauer tried to complete a total
turnaround, but it was not to be and Ghazaryan had the last say from
12 yards.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253626/report