Countdown to kick-off in Armenia

By Khachik Chakhoyan

The 2005 Armenian season will begin on 8 March with the first round of the Armenian Cup, while the Premier League will start on 12 April.

League structure
The latter competition will feature nine clubs, one more than last term, with the league dividing into two groups after all the teams have played each other home and away. After the split, the top six will battle for the title, while the bottom three will enter a play-off round with the runners-up from the first division to decide which side is relegated. The first division champions will win automatic promotion, meaning that the 2006 top flight will comprise ten clubs.

Pyunik clearout
After competing in last month's Commonwealth Cup in Moscow, title-holders FC Pyunik are heavily involved in transfer negotiations, especially as defenders Robert Arzumanyan and Aleksandr Tadevosyan, midfielders Agvan Mkrtchyan, Karen Aleksanyan and Levon Pachajyan, and striker Aleksandr Petrosyan are all currently on trial with other clubs. "We need to reinforce in order to succeed," said coach Vardan Minasyan.

MIKA signings
Last season's runners-up FC MIKA, meanwhile, have boosted their title hopes by signing FC Shirak's Artashes Antonyan and Tigran Davtyan, both on two-year deals, along with last year's first division top scorer, Karen Asatryan of FC Araks Ararat. MIKA are further helped by the return of centre-back Armen Petikyan after a spell in Lebanese football.

Banants hopeful
FC Banants also have championship ambitions with new coach Hovhannes Zanazayan having recruited Aleksander Goncharov from FC Tiraspol, Georgian goalkeeper Manuchari Ivaldava and ex-FC Metalurh Donetsk striker Ara Hakobyan.

Kotayk strengthen
Elsewhere, FC Kotayk have found Iranian sponsors to assist their 2005 campaign, and have strengthened with the addition of Karen Barsegyan from FC Kilikia. Former Armenian internationals Ararat Harutyunyan and Hovhannes Demirchyan are also training with the club, along with one-time Pyunik goalkeeper Nikolay Sargsyan.

Dinamo-Zenit departures
Finally, FC Dinamo-Zenit Yerevan have seen centre-half Tigran Gspeyan leave to play in Iran, but could yet boost their ranks with Georgians Alika Khavteli, Georgi Mikhailidze and Gagu Tibilishvili all currently on trial at the club.