New Faces in the Armenian National Team: Squad Analysis for the June Matches

In June 2025, the Armenian national football team will play two friendly matches: against Kosovo (June 6) and Montenegro (June 9). Head coach John van't Schip views these games as part of the preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which will begin on September 6 with a match against Portugal. The coaching staff had initially planned to evaluate all key players during this camp and build the core of the team for the upcoming official games.

However, judging by the published squad list, the Dutch specialist was unable to fully implement his plan. Instead, a different objective was achieved — the opportunity to test as many new players as possible and expand the squad’s depth. In the absence of several first-team players, younger talents now have the chance to prove themselves.

Due to injuries, the team will be without Tigran Barseghyan, Vahan Bichakhchyan, Ognjen Čančarević, and Ugochukwu Iwu. Additionally, Grant-Leon Ranos, Lucas Zelarayán, and Artak Dashyan — key figures from the previous qualifying campaign — will not participate for various reasons. Solomon Udo, who featured in the March matches against Georgia, is also missing.

Three newcomers have been called up: Tomás Adoryán from Argentina’s Banfield, and two players from BKMA — Daniel Agbalyan and David Akopyan. Additionally, Araik Eloyan and Petik Manukyan, both from the army club, return to the squad. They were invited in March but didn’t play. Anatoli Ayvazov, Karen Muradyan, and Tigran Avanesyan also return after a lengthy absence.

Armenia's Debutants

Daniel Agbalyan (26, defensive midfielder, BKMA)
Born in Stary Oskol, Russia, Agbalyan began his football career there. He has been playing in Armenia for six years — first for Pyunik, then on loan at Ani, and since 2021 as a regular for BKMA.

A key player for BKMA over the past four seasons, Agbalyan consistently contributes goals and assists. In the current league campaign, he has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists — an impressive tally for a defensive midfielder.

"My favorite position is behind the striker, as an attacking midfielder. That’s where I always played before joining BKMA. Defense was my weak spot. Head coach Rafael Nazaryan helped me improve my defensive skills. Now I can play both defensively and offensively, but I still feel more comfortable near the opponent’s goal," he once said in an interview.

David Akopyan (19, attacking midfielder, BKMA)
A product of the Avan Academy, Akopyan is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder/winger who is now in his fourth season with BKMA. This year, he became a first-team regular with 7 goals and 3 assists in 28 appearances. He has also represented Armenia at youth levels.

Primarily playing as a central attacking midfielder, Akopyan can also operate on the wings. While still developing, his potential is notable, and he may become a solution for the team’s long-standing issue on the left wing.

Tomás Adorján (23, midfielder, Banfield, Argentina)
A versatile midfielder who can play on both flanks as well as centrally in attacking or central roles. A product of Atlético Patronato, he has played for Banfield since 2021.

This season, he made 11 appearances in the Argentine league, scoring 1 goal. Previously, he played in Uruguay’s top flight for Rampla Juniors — recording 3 goals and 5 assists in 32 matches during the 2024 season.

In Uruguay, Adorján mostly played centrally, while at Banfield he has been used on the wing. Known for his strong shot, ball control, and accurate passing, he is likely to feature as a central or attacking midfielder for Armenia.

Returnees and Potential Debutants

Among those previously called up but yet to debut are Anatoli Ayvazov, Petik Manukyan, and Araik Eloyan. Ayvazov and Manukyan are less likely to get minutes, while Eloyan may debut — as only two strikers have been called up: Artur Miranyan and Eloyan. The latter is currently the top Armenian scorer in the domestic league (10 goals and 5 assists) and boasts good physical attributes (188 cm tall).

Position Breakdown

Goalkeepers and Defense
The lineup is stable and similar to the March match against Georgia, except for the injured Čančarević. He will be replaced by either Henri Avagyan or Arsen Beglaryan — likely one per match.

Midfield
Three new players have joined the defensive midfield ranks compared to March: Avanesyan, Muradyan, and Agbalyan. Georgi Harutyunyan, who plays as a midfielder for his club, may also feature in this role. Iwu and Udo are absent.

In the box-to-box role, Eduard Spertsyan and Oganes Harutyunyan return from injuries that kept them out in March. Dashyan is missing due to a lack of club minutes after multiple injuries. Spertsyan is expected to start, with Harutyunyan as his backup.

Wings
On the right, options include Sevikyan, Grigoryan, and Serobyan. Barseghyan and Bichakhchyan are out. On the left, the situation remains problematic: Shagoyan and debutant Akopyan are the main options, with right wingers or Adorján potentially shifting over if needed.

Attacking Midfield (CAM)
Manvelyan and Adorján are the primary candidates. Grigoryan or Spertsyan may also play here if Oganes Harutyunyan fills the defensive midfield role.

Striker
Miranyan is the first-choice striker. Eloyan is his backup but has a good chance of playing.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Avagyan (Beglaryan) — Kamo Hovhannisyan (Hambardzumyan), Haroyan, Mkrtchyan (Harutyunyan), Tiknizyan (E. Grigoryan) — Avanesyan (Muradyan), Spertsyan — Sevikyan (N. Grigoryan), Manvelyan (Adorján), Shagoyan (Serobyan) — Miranyan (Eloyan)

Another possibility: Oganes Harutyunyan in defensive midfield and Spertsyan in the attacking role.

This is far from the lineup van’t Schip hoped to test in the friendlies. By the time World Cup qualifying begins in September, much of the starting XI could look different, with expected returns for Barseghyan, Bichakhchyan, Čančarević, Iwu, and Zelarayán. Still, these friendlies provide a valuable chance to broaden the squad and explore unexpected solutions that may prove crucial in the quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

We also have a list of several players who could strengthen the squad — more on that in a separate article on Sportaran.com.