Armenia take a chance on trio

Armenia will bank on the fitness of Robert Arzumanyan, Karen Dokhoyan and Artur Voskanyan after naming their squad for the games against Serbia and Belgium.

Former assistants
Vardan Minasyan and Tom Jones, the former assistants of the late Armenia coach Ian Porterfield, have named the trio in the squad even though all three have been out of action for their clubs in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov is back after injury but Arman Karamyan misses out as he is not playing regular first-team football in Romania with FC Politehnica 1921 Ştiinţa Timişoara. Having picked up seven points from their last three qualifiers, Armenia host Serbia on 13 October before visiting Belgium four days later.

Armenia squad
Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovski (FC Khimki), Gevorg Kasparov (FC Rahahan).

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 Rahahan), Romik Khachatryan (AFC Unirea Valahorum Urziceni), Artavazd Karamyan (AFC Unirea Valahorum Urziceni), Levon Pchajyan (FC Pyunik), Artur Minasyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Artur Voskanyan (FC Ararat Yerevan), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (FC Pyunik), Agvan Mkrtchyan (FC Pyunik).

Forwards: Gevorg Ghazaryan (FC Pyunik), Robert Zebelyan (FC Khimki), Ara Hakobyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants).