Pyunik close in on Armenian title

League split
The return to action saw the league split in two, with the top six sides competing in the championship pool and retaining the points they had accumulated from playing one other, while the remainder battle it out in the relegation group.

Pyunik prevail
Championship leaders FC Pyunik have increased their advantage from five to ten points in just two matches after their rivals slipped up. Pyunik began with a 5-0 triumph against FC Dinamo-Zenit Yerevan before winning 2-1 against second-placed FC MIKA. MIKA could only draw their previous game against FC Kilikia thanks to two penalties from Aghvan Mkrtchian.

Trio missing
However, it was not all good news for Pyunik. Armenia Under-21 goalkeeper Apoula Edima, midfielder Karl Lombe and forward Mamadou Diawara failed to return after the holidays, and it is unclear when - indeed if - they will return to the Pyunik fold.

Danaev signs
Third-placed FC Banants have also struggled after the restart, a goalless draw against FC Kotayk preceding a 3-1 home defeat by Kilikia which only strengthened Pyunik's title challenge. Banants have released Moldovan forward Dumitriu Gusila while signing Andrei Danaev on loan from Ukrainian club FC Stal Alchevsk.

Triple capture
Kotayk, now within one point of third position after a 2-0 victory against Dinamo-Zenit, resumed their campaign with three new players. Arkadij Chilingaryan and Karen Navoyan joined from FC Lernayin Artsakh along with midfielder Nikolay Agasyan whose Dinamo-Zenit contract had expired.

Relegation issue
In the relegation section, FC Ararat Yerevan and FC Shirak drew 1-1 in the first leg of their play-off. Gor Atabekyan's early goal for Ararat was cancelled out on 68 minutes by Karen Khachatryan's penalty for the hosts. The losing side will face another play-off against the team finishing second in the first division to determine whether they preserve top-flight status.