Shirak wrap up Armenian title
Friday, May 3, 2013
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FC Mika's shock defeat by FC Banants gave FC Shirak the chance to win the title with two games to spare, and the Gyumri club duly claimed their first championship since 1999 with victory at FC Pyunik.
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FC Shirak secured their first Armenian title in 14 years with two matches to spare after their 1-0 win at FC Pyunik was coupled with FC Mika's 2-1 reverse against bottom side FC Banants.
Mika began the day five points behind the leaders but a Banants winner in the dying moments gave Shirak the chance to wrap up their fourth championship and first since 1999.
Despite fielding their strongest side, Shirak failed to create any chances in the first half and were lucky not to concede when Artak Edigaryan's free-kick hit a post for Pyunik. The contest was livelier after the break with chances at both ends before Yoro Lamine Ly converted substitute Levon Pachajyan's low cross nine minutes from time for his 16th goal of the season.
"I am so happy," a teary Shirak coach Vardan Bichakhchyan told UEFA.com. "I have never felt such happiness before. All credit to my players, it is their win. Shirak had been striving for this success for so long. [The city of] Gyumri needs such victories and we made all the citizens happy. This is pure joy, and we made it by our own efforts and eagerness."
