The Armenia-Portugal football match is commented by NA parliamentarians.
Numerous politicians and parliamentarians were carefully watching the Armenia-Portugal football match from the stadium. In the interview with “Aravot”, our teams’ errors, as well as the political campaign by Shant Harutyunyan’s son were commented by NA vice speakers and parliamentarians. Note that Shahen Harutyunyan was running in the stadium attracting the attention of Cristiano Ronaldo with his poster demanding a freedom to his father. He was taken to the police department and Shahen Harutyunyan’s mother had made a Facebook post saying that her son was inhumanly beaten for this protest action.
“Heritage” party member Alexander Arzumanyan said that as an Armenian and as a father, he is proud of Shahen’s action. “I am very happy that Shant has brought up such a son. It was a very nice protest action and attracted the world’s attention on Shant Harutyunyan. It hit the goal and received a reaction; “Washington Post” and a number of newspapers addressed the case. He achieved his goal, and the police acts of violence are strongly condemnable.” As for the game of our team, Mr. Arzumanyan said, “It was not a bad game. There were, indeed, errors, we would love to win, but it was not a shame, it was a good game. Our defense has had problems in all games this season. We have a problem with that. Unfortunately, we accepted balls because of these errors, but the team was playing with enthusiasm. We hope to continue like this and have success in the future.”
To our question of whether there were psychological problems in our team, and whether they have complexes in playing with especially superstars, Alexander Arzumanyan replied, “No, there is no such a problem because it was playing with one of the best teams in the world and it was a peer-to-peer match. Marcos hit a wonderful goal Marcos, which we can only admire.” According to Eduard Sharmazanov, our team was lacking nothing but only a success, a fortune. “It was a beautiful game, I am thankful to Sargis Hovsepyan for returning the combination spectacular game of our team to our fans. It was a completely different game by the quality. If not for the 1-2 defense errors, Portugal did not have any real chance to hit a goal. 11-meter penalty was disputable for such a score, especially when the ball was far away, usually an 11-meter penalty kick is not awarded for such cases. Indeed, the pressure that Ronaldo was playing was great. Importantly, our team did not break and continued fighting. But the true score should be a draw.” He said that he does not want to comment on the actions taken place during the football match. As for the post about Shahen Harutyunyan’s inhuman beating, he casted doubts on it, “I have watched Shahen Harutyunyan’s video, the man left the police station happily and there was no beating.” Republican MP Hovhannes Sahakyan said, “Our team’s play was very efficient, I am very impressed. Our problem comes after the first 30 minutes, the technical preparedness. The Portugal team consists of the world-class stars, and we need to take it into account. I was genuinely impressed with the play of our guys, with their skills, especially Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s. The stars that were there, I do not want to give names, were not behind anyone with their football tricks and levels and in all aspects.”
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As to what our team was missing, according to Hovhannes Sahakyan, we miss the experience. “When the ball is in our hands, we need to quickly decide what we want and what we do. Our people have a lack of experience, although the score 3:2 was normal. I admit that the time for moral victories has passed, but the football match was a good one, it was interesting and decent.” With regard to Shahen Harutyunyan’s protest action and his beating, Hovhannes Sahakyan also said that the video showed that Shahen strangely did not say anything about it, it would be the most opportune moment if he had spoken. “There are many cases in the world when the fans are running out to the stadium, one does it for his favorite player, the other wants to attract attention. It is an accepted procedure, appropriate measures are taken and they are removed from the playground. Shahen Harutyunyan, if I’m not mistaken, was released 2-3 hours later. If there was any kind of beating, let them appeal to the law enforcement system, as well as the evidence, I am sure, will have consequences, because our police is working by another style.”
NA Vice Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan said, “It was sad that our team lost, but, nevertheless, I would like to make one very important note that our team fulfilled their task with combating mind and very honestly until the last minute. It would be good that they continue to be technically improved, it would be wonderful to have a better team cooperation. But this devotion to winning and the play was flawless and perfect. I do not think we need to be disappointed and fell into despair from the first defeat or failure. I would like our guys not to feel disappointed, they showed a good football match and were playing to win until the last second.”
According to Ms. Naghdalyan, only Ronaldo is enough to cause failure to many teams. “It would be good for our guys to show a highly technical game.” When talking about her favorite players, Hermine Naghdalyan said, “Henrikh Mkhitaryan, indeed, is our idol. Aras Özbiliz is a well-minded person and showed a very good game. Marcos Pizzelli also showed a wonderful play and, of course, Mkoyan, whose hit was also a very good one.”
HRIPSIME JEBEJYAN, “Aravot” daily
