Narek Grigoryan scores decisive penalty to help Farul stay in Romanian SuperLiga

Armenia national team midfielder Narek Grigoryan became one of the heroes of a dramatic playoff tie for survival in the Romanian SuperLiga.

Farul, the club of the 24-year-old Armenian footballer, managed to avoid relegation from the top division. The team coached by legendary Gheorghe Hagi faced Liga II side Chindia Targoviste in the playoff for a place in the elite.

The first leg ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw. The return match was played at Farul’s home stadium, but Grigoryan’s team once again failed to win in regular time. The match finished 1-1 after normal and extra time, so the SuperLiga place was decided in a penalty shootout.

Farul eventually won the shootout 4-2. One of the key penalties was converted by Narek Grigoryan, who came on as a substitute in the 76th minute. The Armenian midfielder confidently scored his team’s fourth penalty, sending the ball and the goalkeeper in different directions.

That successful strike proved to be crucial for Farul. The 2022/23 Romanian champions kept their place in the top flight, despite the fact that not long ago they were fighting for the highest goals.

For Grigoryan, as well as for the whole club, the season was far from easy. The second part of the campaign was especially difficult, as Farul played in the relegation group. Despite facing supposedly weaker opponents, the team won only one match and eventually dropped into the playoff zone.

This season, Narek Grigoryan made 35 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. That is a lower attacking return compared to last season, when the Armenian footballer scored 7 goals.

Grigoryan’s contract with the Romanian club expires this summer. The Armenian midfielder joined Farul after their title-winning 2022/23 season and has now spent three seasons with the team. During that period, he has scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists.

The main question now concerns Narek Grigoryan’s future. He helped Farul stay in the SuperLiga, but it remains to be seen whether the Armenian footballer will extend his contract with the club.