Armenia through with France

Armenia held their nerve in their last Group 4 fixture to follow pool winners France into the 2004/05 UEFA European Under-19 Championship second qualifying round.

Vital draw
France had already beaten Armenia and Azerbaijan before their final-day victory against mini-tournament hosts F.Y.R. Macedonia sealed their progress. Armenia had to come from behind to draw with Azerbaijan in their closing fixture, but the point was enough to lift them above F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Hosts happy
It had all begun so well for the hosts. Opening their campaign in Ohrid against Azerbaijan, Ivan Trickovski gave the home team a 12th-minute lead and they held on despite Njias Lena's 57th-minute dismissal after a second yellow card.

France win
In Stuga, prolific FC Pyunik striker Edgar Manucharyan's 52nd-minute penalty put Armenia ahead against France but within 17 minutes of that goal Cedric Cambon had equalised and Yohan Gourcuff had converted a spot-kick of his own. Armenia's 2-1 defeat was confirmed after Mikheil Simonyan was dismissed seven minutes from time, like Lena for a second booking.

Fine form continues
Two days later, France's fine form continued in Struga as they defeated Azerbaijan 3-0, Yohan Gouffran scoring within two minutes. Early in the second half Yohan Cabaya and Gouffran added further goals.

Manucharyan double
Meanwhile in Ohrid, Trickovski took just two minutes to give F.Y.R. Macedonia the lead against Armenia, but before half-time Manucharyan had struck twice to ensure his side what ultimately proved a decisive 2-1 victory, the hosts losing Sasko Pandev to a late red card.

Group sealed
So it proved after France overcame the hosts in Ohrid, taking a 2-0 lead within 26 minutes as Sylvain Marveaux and Franck Dja Djedje struck. Trickovski swiftly pulled one back but Moussa Sow made it 3-1 on 50 minutes and just before the end Didier Digard completed a fine mini-tournament campaign for France, who did not make it past this stage last season.

Qualification decided
Armenia did reach the second qualifying round in 2003/04, and ensured they repeated their feat despite falling behind 49 minutes into their match with Azerbaijan in Stuga as Nurmagamed Murtuzaliev scored. But 26 minutes from time Manucharyan claimed his fourth goal of the round to further bolster his reputation and earn Armenia a place in second qualifying round Group 4. France will enter Group 3 along with Slovakia and two teams to be decided.