Noah Ready for Decisive Clash With Sion: Perković and Oshima Answer Reporters’ Questions

Noah are preparing for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie against Swiss side Sion. Ahead of the return match in Sion, Armenian club head coach Sandro Perković and midfielder Takuto Oshima answered questions from reporters.

The first match in Abovyan ended in an entertaining 2–2 draw. Noah had a numerical advantage from the 26th minute and led 2–1, but failed to hold on to their lead. In the second half, they were themselves reduced to ten men following Stone Mambo’s dismissal.

Perković’s team head into the second leg with significant personnel problems. In addition to the suspended Mambo, injured players David Sualehe, Hovhannes Hambardzumyan and Mario González will also miss the match. Yann Eteki will not be available either. Sion, meanwhile, will be without the suspended Nias Hefti.

At the press conference, Perković spoke about the lessons learned from the first match, the team’s physical condition and their readiness to take risks in pursuit of a place in the next round. Oshima discussed his new role in midfield and what he believes will be the key to success in the decisive match.

Pre-Match Press Conference: Sion vs Noah

Oshima: “In Matches Like These, the Most Important Thing Is to Play for the Team and Fight Until the End”

Takuto Oshima was the first to answer reporters’ questions. The midfielder admitted that one of Noah’s main problems in the first meeting was their inability to maintain the same tempo and quality of play they had shown at the start of the match.

— What didn’t work for the team in the first match, and how did you prepare for the return leg?

— In the first match, we weren’t able to maintain the tempo and quality with which we started the game. We learned from that. In the second leg, we intend to play the way we did at the beginning of the first match.

The Japanese midfielder also spoke about the absence of Yann Eteki, who was one of the key players in Noah’s central midfield last season.

— Last season Yann Eteki was a very important player in midfield. Now he is injured. How difficult is it for you to play without him?

— We always have to do our job. Eteki is a very important player for our team. It’s a shame that he won’t be able to help us now, but we will do what we have to do and fight until the end.

Oshima has been with Noah for around a year. Asked about his progress during that period, the player smiled and suggested directing the question to the head coach. Perković, in turn, said he would first like to hear the player’s own assessment.

— What has changed about you over the past year, how much have you improved, and how would you assess your performances for the team overall?

— It would be better to ask the coach about that. But I can say that I’ve become more focused and have started to understand the game better. I’ll leave the rest for the coach to say.

Oshima’s role has changed somewhat this season. Whereas previously he was more involved in attacks, made runs into the opposition penalty area, scored goals and provided assists, he now more often operates as a holding midfielder.

— How comfortable have you become in the No. 6 role, and do you miss getting forward more often?

— Of course, playing as a defensive midfielder and playing as a No. 8 are completely different things. When I play as an “eight,” I focus more on attacking, try to create space for my teammates and make more forward runs. Now my job is to control the tempo of the game and the ball, as well as to cover as much space as possible defensively.

Another topic was a potential meeting with Ajax in the next round of the competition should Noah overcome Sion.

— If you get past Sion, you could play Ajax. As a footballer, do you think about the possibility of facing a club like that?

— Of course, I would like to test myself against a team like that. We would have an opportunity to show how an Armenian team can play against such a big club. Of course we want that, but right now we are completely focused only on the match against Sion.

Speaking about the main quality Noah will need in the return leg, Oshima placed teamwork above individual ability.

— What do you need to show in order to reach the next round?

— For me, in matches like these, individual qualities aren’t the most important thing. You have to play for the team, work hard and fight until the very end.

Perković: “There Is No Need for Extra Motivation in Matches Like These”

Noah head coach Sandro Perković has repeatedly highlighted Sion’s quality. According to him, such an assessment of the opposition does not put any additional pressure on his players.

— You have repeatedly emphasized the strength of the opposition. Does that create additional pressure on the players or, on the contrary, motivate them?

— I don’t think it can put pressure on the players. All of our players know the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses; we have carried out a good analysis. In matches like these, players don’t need any additional motivation at all. This is European competition, a knockout match, a very important game. There is already no need for any extra motivation.

Despite the personnel problems, Perković gave a positive assessment of his team’s condition ahead of the return leg.

— How do you assess your chances in the upcoming match?

— We have prepared very well. Unfortunately, several very important players will not be able to play. We didn’t have much time for training after the match against Shirak, but we used that time for analysis and tactical preparation.

The team is in good condition now, and I like the form we are in. We have done a lot of things well in attack in recent matches: we scored four against Shirak, two against Sion, three against Syunik and two against Zimbru. I’m happy that we have been able to score so many goals.

We are ready to show that we can compete at this level. I want the team to be brave. In football, you can win or lose, but the most important thing is to show a desire to win and to fight.

Sion’s head coach described the teams’ chances as 50–50 ahead of the match. Perković agreed with that assessment.

— Sion’s coach said the chances are now 50–50. What do you think about that?

— I completely agree with him. The chances are absolutely equal. We are ready for the game. I want to see what level my team is at right now and how ready we are for matches like this.

“The Players Showed a European Level of Physical Readiness”

Both teams have been scoring plenty of goals in recent matches. Reporters also asked how prepared Noah would be for the possibility of extra time and a penalty shootout.

Perković stressed that his players’ physical condition gives him reason for optimism.

— Sion always score a lot of goals; they are an attacking team. We are fully prepared. You might be surprised, but after the match against Shirak we analysed the team’s physical condition, and the figures were among the best I have seen during my entire time at the club.

I can say that the players demonstrated a European level of physical readiness. You have to remember that the match against Shirak took place only three days after the game against Sion, but the players were very active and gave everything they had.

We know we are ready to play. The only thing that worries me is our personnel losses. But I am confident that the players who replace those who are unavailable will have an excellent match.

Before travelling to Switzerland, Noah claimed an emotional victory over Shirak in the Armenian league, securing the result they needed right at the end of the match. In Perković’s opinion, matches like that can give the team an additional psychological boost.

— Believe me, there are no easy victories in the Armenian championship. Of course, when you win in the final seconds, it lifts the mood and helps from a psychological point of view. Moments like that are very important for the dressing room.

“After the Opposition Went Down to Ten Men, We Started Playing More Slowly”

Following the first meeting with Sion, Noah’s coaching staff conducted a detailed analysis of the match. Perković once again noted that the team had played the opening period at a very high level, but reduced their intensity after the opposition had a player sent off.

— Of course, we analysed everything. We played very well in the first 25 minutes. After the opponent’s red card, we started playing more slowly, and that was the main problem with our performance.

In addition, we lost Hovhannes Hambardzumyan to injury. At that moment, he was very important for us. I won’t reveal exactly why from a tactical point of view.

We have taken our mistakes into account and hope that in the return leg we can avoid them and secure the victory.

At the same time, the Noah coach does not believe that a potential early goal will necessarily be the decisive factor in the match.

— I think it will be a long match, and each team will have time to change the course of the game. Both teams are strong going forward. Of course, an early goal can have an impact on the match, but it will not be decisive.

Perković on Away Matches: “It Doesn’t Put Any Pressure on Us”

In European competition, Noah have been particularly strong at home, while the Armenian side have recorded fewer victories away from home. Perković, however, does not see this as a psychological issue.

— Every match has its own story; it’s always different. Last season we played several fantastic away matches. We drew in Craiova — it wasn’t a victory, but our performance that day was excellent. There were also the matches against Aberdeen and Olimpija Ljubljana. Yes, we lost to Ferencváros, but we played quite well there too.

It doesn’t put any pressure on us. Of course, it is easier to play at home, but we are professionals and we always have to show our best football. We know how to approach matches like these.

Set pieces could prove to be one of the keys to success. The Noah coach noted that his team pays considerable attention to this aspect of the game.

— Before every match, we prepare for every aspect of the game. Set pieces are an extremely important part of modern football. Sion are also very good from set-piece situations.

I think that since the end of last season, and now as well, we have been using them effectively. For example, we scored from a corner against Zimbru.

“If the Situation Requires Us to Take Risks, We Will”

In the final part of the press conference, Perković was asked how boldly Noah intended to play in the return leg and whether the team was prepared to take risks in pursuit of victory.

— Decisions have to be made during the match itself, depending on how events unfold and what is required to win. Of course, we will take risks if the situation calls for it.

We have to play the way we played in the first 25 minutes of the opening match. Only this time, not for 25 minutes, but for as long as necessary.

Following the 2–2 draw in Abovyan, the tie will now be decided entirely in Switzerland. Despite significant personnel losses, Noah approach the return leg confident in their physical condition and determined to maintain a high tempo throughout the match. The winner of the tie will advance to the next round of the UEFA Conference League.

---

Noah vs history: Can an Armenian club eliminate a Swiss opponent for the first time?