Armenia’s national soccer team has chances to win first place in their group

YEREVAN, December 28. /ARKA/. Armenia’s national football team has all chances to win the first place in their group in 2014 World Cup qualifiers, midfielder Henrik Mkhitaryan said Wednesday at a press conference.

"I would not like to make any predictions, but naturally, if we play each qualifying match with the great desire to win, we will be the first in the group. Prior to the qualifying round we have a few friendly games, after which our chief coach will say who will play in the national team. The first qualifier game is against Malta on 15th September in 2012 and we will do everything to win," Mkhitaryan said.

Mkhitaryan was voted Armenia’s best football player in 2011. Armenia’s national team celebrated several victories in European Championship 2012 qualifiers but failed to win the right to finale finishing third after Russians and Irish.

"I do not want to say that I am the leader in the team. For me, everyone in the team is leader. When we were losing the game to Irish 0-2 and one of our players was shown red card the whole team found strength and fought until the end,’ said Mkhitaryan.

"This year, our team played beautifully and effectively. Next year will be more difficult, we need to improve as much as we can and we will do everything to make our fans happy again," he said.

Armenia’s rivals in 2014 World Cup qualifiers are Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Malta. -0-