SPORTSWORLD.AM
In the ⅛ finals of the Armenian Cup, Yerevan's Pyunik hosted Kapan's Gandzasar. Gandzasar plays more dangerous football in the cup. Armenia's most titled club won its eighth cup ten years ago, becoming an eight-time cup winner.
In the beginning of the match, “Pyunik” created four scoring chances, but could not use them. “Gandzasar” led by Karen Barseghyan, defending from a lower position (being close to their own penalty area), from time to time put pressure on the “Pomegranates”, creating positional attacks for the “Pomegranates”. The 16-time champion of Armenia needed to quickly open the score in the match, which did not happen, because the players of the Kapanyan team feel very free on the field. The last match between the teams turned out to be difficult for Artak Oseyan’s team, which was made easier after Alemao scored from the penalty spot (31'). Mikhail Kovalenko also scored in that match (2:0).
Pyunik had a huge advantage in the first half, having possession of the ball 59/41% of the time. They organized 81 attacks on the opponent's goal, while Gandzasar had 55 attacks.
In the second half, Pyunik put up a lot of pressure, as a result of which, as a result of the cooperation of the Lithuanian national team player Matas Vareika and the 29-year-old Cameroonian Marius Nubissi, the team opened the score in the 52nd minute of the match. The eight-time Armenian Cup winner doubled the score about nine minutes later, thanks to Daniil Kulikov. The 27-year-old Russian football player scored the only and winning goal in the eighth round match of the Fastex Premier League between the teams. Today, Lucas Vilela, who was injured in the qualifying round match of the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 season, came on the field after a break of almost a year. After a long absence, the Brazilian Vilela, who missed the field from the corner kick, made an assist, from whose pass Mikhail Kovalenko tripled his team's advantage.
Thus, "Pyunik" wins a ticket to the quarterfinals of the Armenian Cup, where the current cup holder "Noah" and "Ararat-Armenia", who reached the final stage, will join the fight. Let's add that today the match between "Andranik" and CSKA "was also held, where the representative of the first group of Armenia won 2:0.