Armenia U20 complete first-ever tournament: two clean sheets and last place in Tashkent

The Armenia U20 national team has completed its participation in the Mirabor Usmanov Memorial friendly tournament held in Tashkent.

The team, coached by Misha Djorkaeff, played three matches and finished last in the group. However, Armenia suffered only one defeat in regulation time and kept clean sheets in the other two matches.

Armenia U20 results

Armenia U20 — Uzbekistan U20 — 1:5

Armenia U20 — Russia U19 — 0:0 (5:3 on penalties)

Armenia U20 — Saudi Arabia U20 — 0:0 (3:5 on penalties)

Armenia started the tournament with a heavy 1:5 defeat against hosts Uzbekistan U20. However, Djorkaeff’s side significantly improved defensively in the next two matches and kept back-to-back clean sheets.

The match against Russia U19 ended goalless before Armenia won the penalty shootout 5:3. In the final game against Saudi Arabia U20, neither team managed to score in regulation time, but this time Armenia lost the shootout 3:5.

First experience for Armenia U20

The tournament was a special occasion for Armenian football, as the U20 national team was formed for the first time. The creation of a team at this age level is part of the long-term preparation of young players for the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be hosted by Armenia and Georgia.

The tournament in Tashkent gave the coaching staff its first opportunity to work with a team in this age category and assess the players in matches against international opposition.

The next similar stage is expected next year at the Francophonie Games. The core of that squad is expected to be made up of players from the current Armenia U19 team.

Therefore, despite finishing last at the tournament in Tashkent, the competition was primarily the first step in a long-term development process aimed at preparing this generation of Armenian players for the 2029 World Cup.

Armenia U20 squad

Goalkeepers: Artyom Davydov (BKMA), Vache Gabrielyan (Sardarapat), Sargis Derdzakyan (Mika).

Defenders: Artur Mikhaelyan (Gandzasar), Gor Grigoryan, Gor Vasilyan, Marat Babayan (all Noah-2), Vanik Sukiasyan (Kosmos), Karen Hovakimyan (BKMA), Zhora Dadamyan (Urartu), Arman Isayan, Aram Barkhudaryan (both BKMA-2).

Midfielders: Gagik Hovhannisyan, Artak Galstyan (both BKMA-2), Arman Arakelyan, Harutyun Manukyan, Artur Manukyan, Sedrak Movsisyan (all BKMA), Martin Galstyan (Pyunik-2), Gor Manukyan, Vahe Hovhannisyan (both Urartu-2), Narek Aleksanyan (Olympia), Sargis Shahverdyan (Ararat-Armenia).

Forwards: Suren Kirakosyan, Arshak Petrosyan (both BKMA), Arame Minasyan (Murcia).

The team’s only goal in regulation time was scored by Artur Manukyan of BKMA, a product of the Pyunik academy.