Porterfield battles to lead Armenia

Having named his squad for the qualifier Coach Ian Porterfield is hoping to lead Armenia against Portugal despite currently receiving cancer treatment in England.

Cancer treatment
The 61-year-old Scotsman left Armenia two months ago to receive treatment for a cancerous growth in his intestines but said that he is determined to return to the Armenian capital for Wednesday’s game as his side seek a third successive UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying win. "I want to be with my team and to try to fight against such strong opponents despite everything,” he said. “Portugal are one of the leading forces in European football but can play our game." Porterfield's 22-man squad includes two changes, with FC Ararat defender Hrajr Mkoyan receiving a first call-up while FC MIKA goalkeeper Felix Hakobyan replaces the injured Gevorg Kasparov.

Armenia squad
Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovski (FC Khimki), Felix Hakobyan (FC MIKA).

Defenders: Robert Arzumanyan (FC Pyunik), Karen Dokhoyan (FC Pyunik), Sargis Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik), Aleksander Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik), Vahagn Minasyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Hrajr Mkoyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Yegishe Melikyan (FC Banants), Ararat Arakelyan (FC Banants).

Midfielders: Hamlet Mkhitaryan (FC Pyunik), Romik Khachatryan (AFC Unirea Valahorum Urziceni), Artavazd Karamyan (FCU Politehnica Timisoara), Levon Pchajyan (FC Pyunik), Artur Minasyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Artur Voskanyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (FC Pyunik), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants), Agvan Mkrtchyan (FC Pyunik).

Forwards: Arman Karamyan (FCU Politehnica Timisoara), Aram Hakobyan (FC Banants), Gevorg Ghazaryan (FC Pyunik), Robert Zebelyan (FC Khimki).