Greece aiming to build on positive momentum
UEFA EURO 2020 QUALIFYING - GROUP J (MATCHDAY 9)
AGONAsport previews the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Armenia and Greece as the campaign reaches its climax.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Unfortunately, Greece cannot mathematically overtake Finland or Italy in the Group J standings, but there are still two scenarios which would take the Ethniki Omada to Euro 2020. You can read more about them both on the following link.
This game in Yerevan represents an ideal opportunity for Greece to continue making progress under the leadership of the popular John van ‘t Schip. Last month, Greece produced two promising performances against Italy and Bosnia, notably defeating the latter 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens with some fluid, free-flowing football. Greece currently sit in fifth place of Group J with eight points from as many games.
Armenia, on the other hand, occupy third position with 10 points and can still technically finish in second. However, for this to happen, Finland have to drop points against Liechtenstein in Helsinki - something which is very unlikely to occur. Bosnia sit between Armenia and Greece in the standings.
The Armenians have already shocked Greece once in Euro 2020 qualifying. In June, goals from Aleksandre Karapetyan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Tigran Barseghyan secured a surprise 3-2 Armenian victory at the OAKA, a result which sealed the fate of then Greek boss Angelos Anastasiadis. Carlos Zeca and Kostas Fortounis - currently on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury - scored the Greek markers in that particular match.
Armenia’s other standout result in the group was a 4-2 home triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Yerevan.
The main objective for the Greeks asides from winning, of course, will be to play in a similar manner as they did against Bosnia in Athens. The introduction of German-born attacking midfielder Sebastian Vasiliadis to the team has excited many fans.
TEAM NEWS: ARMENIA
A big loss for the Armenians is the injury blow dealt to AE Limassol attacking midfielder Ghazaryan, who scored against Greece at the OAKA in the summer. It has been confirmed that the experienced 31-year-old will play no part in this match in Yerevan.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcos Pizzelli, Sargis Adamyan and Karlen Mkrtchyan are also all injured. Centre-back Varazdat Haroyan is suspended for this game.
Karapetyan, a representative of HC Sochi, will probably be the starting striker against Greece. He has scored two goals in 12 league matches for Sochi this season.
Head coach Abraham Khashmanyan only started working in the role on November 6, so this will be his first match in charge.
Possible line-up: Airapetyan, Hovhannisyan, Calisir, Ishkhanyan, Hambartsumyan, Grigoryan, Hovsepyan, Vardanyan, Babayan, Barseghyan, Karapetyan.
TEAM NEWS: GREECE
Initially, FC Copenhagen midfielder Zeca was included in the squad, but the 31-year-old subsequently received an injury in training and misses this game. Willem II star Marios Vrousai is on the sidelines in the Netherlands with an injury of his own.
Reports from Greece have suggested that Vasiliadis, 22, is expected to make his debut for the Ethniki Omada in the starting line-up. Odisseas Vlachodimos is in line to be the starting goalkeeper.
Either Pavlidis or Efthymis Koulouris will lead the attacking line.
Possible line-up: Vlachodimos, Giannoulis, Siovas, Hatzidiakos, Bakakis, Kourbelis, Vasiliadis, Mantalos, Bakasetas, Limnios, Pavlidis.
REFEREE: PAWEL RACZKOWSKI (POL)
The 36-year-old Pole is a familiar face to Olympiacos supporters. Last week, he was in charge of the proceedings at the Allianz Arena, as the Piraeus club conceded a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Raczkowski did not issue any yellow or red cards in that match.
Raczkowski was also the referee for the Bayer Leverkusen - Lokomotiv Moscow (1-2) game in the Champions League group stage this year.
Two years ago, Raczkowski oversaw the Ostersunds - PAOK (2-0) duel in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, as the Dikefalos tou Vorra crashed out against the Swedish underdogs.
Assistant referees: Michal Obukowicz (POL), Radoslaw Siejka (POL)
Fourth official: Daniel Stefanski (POL)
