Vercauteren quits as Belgian trail goes cold
Wednesday 9 September 2009
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Belgium's Kevin Mirallas takes on Armenia's Artavazd Karamyan (©Getty Images)
Armenia won their first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying game, with goals from Hovhannes Goharyan and Sargis Hovsepyan ending Belgium's finals dream and, as a result, Frank Vercauteren's reign as coach.
Theoretical chance
The visitors kicked off with a theoretical chance of finishing second in Group 5 and threatened to make an early breakthrough when Igor De Camargo shot just over, but Armenia responded on the counterattack, with Arman Karamyan just failing to profit from Goharyan's wonderful through ball. The 20-year-old Goharyan then opened the scoring on 23 minutes, converting a rebound for his first international goal after Jean-François Gillet could only parry Henrikh Mkhitaryan's powerful shot.
Captain strikes
Timmy Simons came close to scoring an own goal as the first half came to an end, and Belgium's torment continued five minutes after the interval, with Armenia captain Hovsepyan beating three defenders before scoring with a precise shot. The hosts allowed Belgium possession thereafter as they looked to protect their lead. Substitute Tom De Sutter and Daniel Van Buyten both fired off-target and Gevorg Kasparov made a reflex save from De Camargo four minutes from time.
Coach quits
Van Buyten's added-time effort scant consolation for Belgium and Vercauteren promptly resigned, explaining: "When you think you cannot teach a team anything any more, when you think it's hopeless, you have to quit." The 52-year-old had been in the role on an interim basis since April following René Vandereycken's dismissal. Dick Advocaat is due to take the reins on 1 January 2010.
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