Nair Tiknizyan: “I really hope that against Ireland we can make our fans happy”

Armenia national team defender Nair Tiknizyan, at a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ireland on September 9 in Yerevan, shared his expectations for the upcoming match.

Nair Tiknizyan’s press conference before the game against Ireland

“I gained invaluable experience against Portugal, unfortunately the result was negative. I don’t want to dwell on that match anymore — we analyzed it and are moving forward. Tomorrow we have a very important match — for our team and for our country. I really hope we can make our fans happy. Physically I feel fine.

We have managed to analyze the opponent’s game, identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Irish team, but I cannot reveal them. I will add that in terms of theory and tactics we have made serious progress with the arrival of the new coach. I hope that head coaches will stop changing, and we will be able to work with one manager for at least another year. I am confident that results will come then.

Against Portugal, I did not show my leadership qualities, I have questions to myself. As for this qualifying cycle, it is difficult to give a definite answer. Patience is needed: we all want victories, and I am sure results will come — we just need time.

Ronaldo is an icon for many. Even if our fans paid tribute to him after he scored against us, there is nothing wrong with that. In any case, the atmosphere at the match was excellent, and we are grateful to the fans. I hope it will be the same against Ireland, and we can thank them with a good performance.

I really wanted to learn Armenian, I tried, but it turned out not to be easy. Anyway, I will try to master it at least at a conversational level.

As for the pitch, it could have been worse. Portugal played in the same conditions, and it did not bother them. So the problem is not the field.”