Artur Gharibyan After Cyprus Draw: “This Draw Feels Like a Defeat for Us”

Armenia national team striker Artur Gharibyan, who scored his team's only goal in the 1-1 draw against Cyprus in Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, shared his thoughts on the match in an exclusive interview with Sportaran.

The 21-year-old forward praised Armenia's performance but admitted that the team failed to convert its chances and missed an opportunity to secure all three points.

“We played well, at a very high level. Unfortunately, we couldn't win. I take some of the blame for that because we didn't finish the job and score as many goals as we could have. I also failed to convert as many chances as I should have.

It's disappointing that we didn't get the three points. For us, this draw feels like a defeat. But it's not the end of the world. We have a bright future, we have a very good team, and we'll keep moving forward,” Gharibyan told Sportaran's correspondent in the mixed zone at the Republican Stadium.

The Armenia vs Cyprus match, played on November 12 in Yerevan, ended in a 1-1 draw. The visitors took the lead as early as the ninth minute through Yasonas Pikis.

Gharibyan equalized in the 58th minute after converting a pass from Artur Serobyan. The Armenian striker later found the net again, but his second goal was ruled out for offside.

How Armenia and Cyprus Players Interacted With Journalists After the Match

Following the final whistle, there was a noticeable difference in how players from the two national teams interacted with the media in the stadium's mixed zone.

The Cyprus delegation had a dedicated federation staff member who actively directed players toward journalists and encouraged them to give interviews. The Cypriot players themselves were also willing to stop, answer questions, and engage with reporters in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Among the Armenia national team players, Sportaran's correspondent managed to speak only with Artur Gharibyan. The other players approached by the reporter declined to give interviews.

Overall, the Armenian squad appeared disappointed with the result after failing to secure a home victory. For Armenia, who had hoped to collect all three points in front of their supporters, the draw against Cyprus was a frustrating outcome.