Armenian teams earn 0.500 points in the UEFA coefficient table

Four Armenian clubs played the first legs of the second qualifying round of European competitions. Ararat-Armenia secured a victory in the Champions League, Noah and Alashkert drew in the Conference League, while Pyunik suffered a narrow defeat.

Following the matchday, Armenia’s representatives earned 0.500 points in the UEFA coefficient table, bringing the country’s total for the current season to 1.500 points.

The Armenian teams’ combined record was one victory, two draws and one defeat. The clubs scored four goals and conceded three.

Ararat-Armenia make a strong bid to reach the next round

Champions League

Ararat-Armenia — Shamrock Rovers — 2–0

Goals:

1–0 — Sandro Lima, 51st minute,

2–0 — Zidan Banjaki, 80th minute, assisted by Carlos França.

Ararat-Armenia recorded the best result among the Armenian clubs, defeating Irish side Shamrock Rovers 2–0.

Sandro Lima scored the opening goal early in the second half. In the 80th minute, Zidan Banjaki doubled the home side’s advantage following a pass from Carlos França.

The team not only secured an important victory but also kept a clean sheet. Ahead of the return leg, Ararat-Armenia hold a comfortable advantage and look like the clear favourites to win the tie.

The victory earned Armenia 0.250 points in the UEFA coefficient table.

Costache’s late goal saves Noah from defeat

Conference League

Zimbru — Noah — 1–1

Goals:

1–0 — Stefan Bytsa, 43rd minute,

1–1 — Valentin Costache, 88th minute, assisted by Gor Manvelyan.

Noah were close to suffering defeat in their away match against Moldovan side Zimbru. The hosts opened the scoring in the 43rd minute through Stefan Bytsa and maintained their narrow advantage almost until the final whistle.

The Armenian club managed to equalise in the 88th minute. Gor Manvelyan provided the assist for Valentin Costache, who set the final score at 1–1.

The away draw leaves Noah in a good position ahead of the return leg. On home soil, the Armenian side will be considered the favourite to advance from the tie.

The result added another 0.125 points to Armenia’s UEFA coefficient total.

Alashkert fail to hold their lead against CFR

Conference League

Alashkert — CFR Cluj — 1–1

Goals:

1–0 — Rafael Jesus, 35th minute, assisted by Karen Nalbandyan,

1–1 — Andrea Sfait, 46th minute.

Alashkert produced a surprisingly confident performance at home against CFR Cluj and, in many moments, looked every bit as strong as their more established opponents.

In the 35th minute, Karen Nalbandyan provided the assist for Rafael Jesus, who put the Armenian side ahead. However, Alashkert were unable to preserve their advantage, as Andrea Sfait equalised in the opening minute of the second half.

Despite the respectable performance, Alashkert arguably face the most difficult prospects among the Armenian clubs participating in European competitions. In the return leg at CFR’s home ground, the Romanian side may look like a completely different team.

The draw earned Armenia 0.125 points.

Pyunik narrowly lose to Debrecen

Conference League

Debrecen — Pyunik — 1–0

Goal:

1–0 — Florian Tsybla, 59th minute.

Pyunik suffered the only defeat among the Armenian clubs, narrowly losing away to Hungarian side Debrecen.

Florian Tsybla scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute. Nevertheless, the Armenian team did not look inferior to their opponents and retained a good chance of achieving success over the two legs.

The one-goal deficit gives Pyunik every reason to believe they can turn the tie around. In the home leg, the team are fully capable of securing the result they need.

The defeat did not earn Armenia any points in the UEFA coefficient table.

All four clubs remain in contention

After the first legs, none of the four ties has been definitively decided. Some Armenian teams have a stronger chance of reaching the third qualifying round than others, but none of the return matches has become a mere formality.

Following their 2–0 home victory, Ararat-Armenia are in the most comfortable position. Noah also have promising prospects after securing an away draw and scoring against their opponents.

Pyunik need to overturn a one-goal deficit on home soil, while Alashkert face a difficult trip to Cluj. Nevertheless, all four Armenian representatives remain in contention for a place in the next round of European competition.

First-leg summary

— one victory, two draws and one defeat,

— four goals scored and three conceded,

— 0.500 points in the UEFA coefficient table.