Hayastan 2 - 2 Portugal (394292836)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 21380 had shown up at GAUGAMELA for the match. Federico Salmi was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jérémy Faucheux and Sten Lindland. Hayastan had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Hairabedyan - Shavarshyan, Panosyan - Tovmasyan, Nshanyan, Varmyan, Piligyan, Caprielyan - Sourenyan, Aharonyan, Karekinyan.

Portugal decided to use a 5-4-1 set up. Lineup: Caldeira - Miranda, Picoto, Portocarreiro, Neto, Vieira - Frade, Piorro, Sá, Tiradentes - Gericota.

After 15 minutes, following yet another great corner, G. Nshanyan's flick on at the near post reached G. Sourenyan, who was just wide with his snapshot - the ball went out for a goal kick. After 16 minutes, E. Shavarshyan sent the corner kick right to N. Varmyan who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 0! Portugal tied it all up, 19 minutes in, after a spectacular goal by V. Vieira, who miraculously broke through the home side's central defence, making it 1 - 1. After 27 minutes, Portugal sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached T. Piorro, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 1 - 2. It was 1 - 2 at the break. Portugal enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 72 percent of possession.

The bench was restless, and with 46 minutes passed Hayastan's coach gave Y. Askanazyan the opportunity the player had been hoping for. G. Sourenyan reluctantly left the field. Hayastan needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 46 minutes T. Aharonyan made way for M. Manoukyan. After a short break after 46 minutes, Portugal seemed to change their tactical approach a bit. S. Hairabedyan got a fingertip on S. Gericota's shot from the left 78 minutes in, and managed to keep the visitors from going up another goal. Hayastan earned themselves a free kick after a counterattack wasn't dealt with adequately by their opponents. E. Shavarshyan powered the shot in for 2 - 2. 89 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Portugal substitution. J. Caramez came on for D. Neto. After 89 minutes, the Portugal coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving S. Gericota off the field. H. Saudade took his place. As the 89 minute mark approached, the Portugal coach decided it was time for a substitution. V. Miranda reluctantly made way for D. Gaivota on the pitch. D. Gaivota became the new Portugal captain. Portugal claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 66 percent.

Hayastan's best player was V. Karekinyan. Y. Askanazyan was a disappointment, however. Most important Portugal player was G. Sá. However, H. Saudade made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 2.