Ararat-Armenia beat Shamrock Rovers in first leg of Champions League qualifier

Ararat-Armenia defeated Irish side Shamrock Rovers in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. The match ended 2–0.

After a goalless first half, the hosts took the lead in the 51st minute. Forward Sandro Lima capitalised on a mistake by an opposing defender and opened the scoring.

Zidan Banjaki doubled the Armenian side’s advantage in the 80th minute. The midfielder received a pass from Carlos França and found the net with a long-range strike.

In the 75th minute, Ararat-Armenia right-back Kamo Hovhannisyan suffered an injury and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Left-back Edgar Grigoryan had also been injured in the team’s previous match against Riga. As a result, both of the Armenian club’s full-backs could miss the return leg.

Ararat-Armenia registered nine shots during the match, while Shamrock Rovers attempted four.

The two-goal advantage gives the Armenian team an important cushion ahead of the return leg, which will take place in Dublin on July 28.

Ararat-Armenia starting line-up

João Bravim — Kamo Hovhannisyan (Luis Felipe, 75), Junior Bueno, Bruno Wilson, Bruno Pereira (Carlye, 60) — Hugo Oliveira, Alvin Tera (Zidan Banjaki, 65), Karen Muradyan — Artur Serobyan (Ayongo, 75), Zhirayr Shaghoyan (Carlos França, 65) — Sandro Lima.

The winner of the Ararat-Armenia versus Shamrock Rovers tie will face the winner of Celje of Slovenia versus Egnatia of Albania in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The teams that lose these ties will face each other in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Tulipa after win over Shamrock Rovers: “I’d take a draw and a fit Kamo”