Stoichita gives youth a chance
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Article summary
Armenia coach Mihai Stoichita has named an experimental squad for an international get-together next week.
Article body
Practice match
Armenia had hoped to play a friendly against Romania on 29 April but will instead use the international break for a practice match involving mostly uncapped players from top domestic clubs. "Of course, we wanted to play a friendly but I won't waste the opportunity to test some other players," Stoichita said.
Talent spotting
"The team needs young players and that is why I have decided to organise this game. I would like to build a team for the future. If we discover at least one suitable player in this game it will be a success." As well as players from the Armenian Premier League, Russia and Ukraine, Stoichita has also selected 18-year-olds Alexi Garibyan and Noy Berberyan from French side AS Saint-Etienne and Germany's FC Germania 07 Ortenberg respectively.
Room for improvement
Armenia are currently fourth in qualifying Group 6 with four points from four games. They next play Ukraine in Lviv on 7 June. "I think we can still improve," Stoichita said. "There are a few very promising young players who just need time to become really good players."
Armenia squad
Vorobyev, Kasparov, Felix Hakobyan, Grigoryan, Demirchyan, Ara Voskanyan, Djenebyan, Minasyan, Vahe Davtyan, Aram Hakobyan, Ara Hakobyan, Dokhoyan, Lobyan, Adamyan, Aram Voskanyan, Tigran Davtyan, Aleksanyan, Harutyunyan, Marandjyan, Garibyan, Berberyan.
