Epress.am News from Armenia
Armenia crushed 10-man Macedonia 4-1 in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday to keep alive their hopes of going through from Group B, Reuters reports.
First-half goals by Brazilian-born Marcos Pizzelli and Henrik Mkhitaryan set the hosts up for a third consecutive victory which took them level on 17 points with leaders Russia who visit Slovakia later in the day.
Macedonia’s misery was compounded when captain Velice Sumulikoski was sent off for a second booking in the 53rd minute.
Armenia wasted several chances after the interval before Gevorg Ghazaryan made it 3-0 midway through the second half.
Vance Sikov pulled one goal back for Macedonia with a late header before substitute Artur Sarkisov rounded keeper Martin Bogatinov to slot Armenia’s fourth in added time.
The small South Caucasus country has outscored the opposition 11-1 in their last three games including a 4-0 thrashing of Slovakia in Zilina last month.
Armenia, yet to qualify for a major championship since gaining independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, probably need another win in Ireland in their last game on Tuesday to have a chance of making the finals.
