ROBERT ARZUMANYAN: THANK YOU TO THE FOOTBALLERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

Our head coach talked about the Cup final match.

-I think the game scenario could have changed if we had scored the second goal while it was 1–0. We conceded at 1–0, right after we failed to finish our attack. We were aware that we were facing strong and high-quality players. We knew that if we had to suffer, we had to suffer on the pitch — and that’s what we did. I thank them for their great work; they gave everything they had on the field. 4 goals is a bit too much, but we fought until the end. We had a chance to score the third, but FC Noah deservedly won, congratulations.

-How would you comment on your team’s activity? At first you resisted the pressure, scored a goal, but you also became more active after FC Noah’s 4th goal.

-I already commented. After 1–0 we had chances. In the second half we conceded very quickly, there were many mistakes. The result could have been different if we had scored the second. It could have been 3–4. We knew it would be difficult. Overall, we managed to neutralize their wing attacks.

-What was your team’s task in the first half? You conceded goals.

-The task was definitely not to concede goals. We made adjustments to play higher with our wingers, we were defending in a 4–2–4, but in the first half it wasn’t working and looked more like 4–4–2, which we didn’t need. We tried to fix it, but we conceded quickly due to mistakes. In attack, we asked Zhirayr Margaryan to move inside often to create numerical superiority. But planning something and executing it are different things. It also depends on the opponent. Later we made substitutions, brought on attackers, Miguel had a chance, but it didn’t work.

-Is Mikayel Mirzoyan’s false 9 role perhaps the best for him?

-I agree, he plays well, trains well. We try to use him where he feels most comfortable. He feels good in wide and central areas, has speed and stamina. I’m satisfied with his performance.

We knew it’s easier to break through from the wing and get the left-back out. Kharyton has great speed, and we managed to create problems there.

-You still had chances for the Conference League, and two league matches remain. How do you assess your chances?

-For me in football it is always 50/50. We are preparing for the match against Shirak SC. If we win both games, we can at least finish 3rd, depending also on the FC Noah – Pyunik FC match. We focus on the next game. There is nothing easy. Today we played to win every duel. It didn’t go badly. Every pass recovery was a small victory. Even at 4–1, they kept fighting. I’m grateful and satisfied.

-Your opponent attempted many long-range shots. How difficult was that?

-We were prepared. We defended well in the box, but they are a dangerous team. You cannot control everything. Some shots are individual decisions. We conceded from different situations, including long shots.

-Do you see a pattern in recent defeats?

-The players are working hard. The goals were different. Against Alashkert FC we played well even with 10 men and scored. Against Pyunik FC we played poorly. Against FC Ararat-Armenia we had chances but also conceded dangerous ones. Different matches.

-Second final defeat in a row — is the regret different?

-There is always regret when you lose. Today it was painful, because if we had made it 2–0, we could have won this match.