From Armenia to the Top of the World

PYUNIK YEREVAN PRE-SEASON CANCELLED, 12 PLAYERS RELEASED

"Sources from Armenian Reports today suggest that Pyunik Yerevan Manager Hamoudi Fayad is planning on canceling the pre-season for Pyunik, with only hard training available for the fatigued players."

"The Europa League Group Stages finished during December, not long before the league started, therefore Hamoudi decided the pre-season be cancelled, due to the lack of fitness of the players. What does this mean now? What if Pyunik progress to the Knockout Stages of Europe, will they be able to cope?"

"Other reports suggest that a staggering 12 players have been released from Pyunik, leaving them available on free transfers. What is Fayad pointing at? He's won the league twice in a row now, but does he plan on taking it one step further and pushing through Europe?!"

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THREE PLAYERS JOIN PYUNIK, TATINSYAN LEAVES

"Three players have been announced as Pyunik players today, after leaving their clubs on a free and signing pre-contracts with Pyunik. Armen Tatinsyan also had a pre-contract signed, but it was to leave the club, rather than stay. Tatinsyan has left Pyunik for relegated team Ararat Yerevan, hoping to teach those younger players new things, because he has experience and much more."

"The three signings were announced by Pyunik Manager Hamoudi Fayad today in a press conference at the VSH Stadium:

'I am pleased to announce the signings of right-back Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, left-midfielder Aram Loretsayn, and experienced central defender Ararat Arakelyan. They will join the club immediately and train with us, and I hope their addition will do good for the squad.'


Ara Arakelyan during his time at Iranian Club "Mes Kerman"

Here is what Ararat Arakelyan had to say:

'My time at Banants is over, and I am sad. It has been a nice 2 years, although I felt my time was up there. I have a few years left in me and I am happy Hamoudi has the faith in me, I know how much he loves his younger players, and as an older player, signing me means that Fayad trusts me, to take care of his fledgelings. So I give my thanks to Hamoudi, who I am looking forward to working with over the next few years or so. I only have a few years left in me, so I will put all my work in to take Pyunik to the top.'

Due to the FMScout site being down yesterday, well for me, so it caused a delay in my updates. As I am still currently in January (right now during updating) but I am in July on my actual save. I will try my best to add everything I missed.

1 More Arrival and 6 Departures from Pyunik as Transfer Window Shuts

"Hamoudi Fayad has done one of the most shocking transfer deals in Armenia today, landing former Marseille youngster Gael Andonian. Ulisses FC Yerevan may have got the better of them last year in the Independence Cup Final, but Hamoudi Fayad struck a deal for 20-year-old Gael Andonian, a deal that is worth up to 700,000 British Pound Sterling. This will leave a big hole in Ulisses' defence, as Andonian is one of the best defenders in the league already."


Gael during his time at Marseille, before the termination of his contract.


"6 more players have left Pyunik too, 4 on a free, and 2 for undisclosed fees. Hamlet Sarginsyan was one of the teenagers to be released, being told he has no future at Pyunik. Also, African sensations Yoro Ly and Ismael Beko Fofana both left Pyunik for Shirak and Mika, respectively. Yoro Ly left for a fee around 200,000 British Pounds Sterling while Fofana's fee was undisclosed. There are only 2 players over 30 at Pyunik now, Ara Arakelyan, the recent signing... and Aghvan Mkrtchyan, who is bound to leave when his contract ends. Finally, Reynaldo Mejia rom Olimpia (HON) has been signed on a pre-contract and is going to start playing for Pyunik on June the 28th, will he be a good signing?"

February: the Start of the Season

We had 5 fixtures this month. 4 Premier League Matches and 1 SuperCup Match. Just a reminder, Ararat got relegated last season so Martuni got promoted. Martuni finished on 1 point 2 seasons ago causing their relegation, therefore I will not accept anything below maximum points in all matches.

Premier League

"Winning 4 games in a row, quite shocking as I expected 9 points. We had to face the next top 3 teams in Armenia, after us. Ulisses, Shirak and Impuls although we won all games which was great, I definitely think we can go for an undefeated season if we focus."

SuperCup

"The Armenian Champions against the Armenian Cup Winners. I honestly expect this match to at least go to extra time, and if it goes to penalties then I won't fault my players."



"Ah, so we did go to penalties. We were with 10 men though as Ghuka got injured while I signaled for our last sub to come on, which was devastating as we lost our star player for the rest of the match. It was tough during penalties as we only scored 1 of our 4 penalties. Tough but unlucky."

I will be showing Armenia's World Ranking every month so I can track their progress, etc.

Armenia's World Ranking: #117

Player of the Month

Ara Arakelyan

Games: 3
Goals: 3
Avg Rating: 8.1
Tackles won: 13/13

"A great month for the 30-year old centre back, even scoring a hat-trick against Martuni while winning all of his tackles! Ara can lead us to the title this year because of his leadership and beautiful headers, I am very proud of him." - Hamoudi Fayad

The board also put in 2 Million Pounds to fund for:

March: A Boring Month?

Premier League

We only had 2 games this month and I expected 6 points to get us at the top of the table.
Just to tell you about the fixtures we have next. We are currently in 2nd on goal difference behind overachievers Mika, who we face next. Gandzasar are also overacheiving and are in 3rd place, and I certainly do not want them to catch up.



6 points as I expected and we surge to the top of the table, with a fantastic 3-0 away win against Gandzasar.

Armenia's World Ranking

#114

Player of the Month

Valter Poghosyan


Games: 2
Goals: 1
Avg Rating: 8.2
Assists: 2

"A fantastic month for him after a bad season last year, hopefully he continues his current form. He has matured enough to become a main starter." -Hamoudi Fayad