This definitely deserves a new thread. We have been waiting for friendly announcements for months now.
Let's hear predictions, haynationalist comments, and more!
Let's hear predictions, haynationalist comments, and more!
MER HAYRENIK
Armenia vs Serbia/ Canada, February 28-29
So we're facing Serbia on the 28th and Canada on the 29th? For sure we'll be bringing many U-21 players in this case and probably splitting the entire squad in half.
The Serbia date isn't set in stone, but its probably going to be around there somewhere, because the whole Cyprus tournament is like 4 days. I don't know which we should take more seriously- Serbia, a better team which we will lose with a full squad (probably), or Canada, which is more equal to our skills and we can gauge our strengths.
Serbias offence is in really bad shape so they wont score more than 1 or 2 goals , and with vidic gone the only good defender is Ivanovic, either way this is going to be really hard since we arent that good in friendlies. I think Serbias match could go either way but I think a draw will be the result.
I dont know much about Canada but they are looking good in the WC qual, even though theyre group is embarrasing.
Theyre players do play in better clubs but I think this is our safecard and that we will win.
I dont know much about Canada but they are looking good in the WC qual, even though theyre group is embarrasing.
Theyre players do play in better clubs but I think this is our safecard and that we will win.
is serbia really that good? i remember a while back when we tied with them cuz of ara the great hakopyan
I won't predict any scores until I hear the official date for the Serbia game in that case, and also which players arrive. Keep in mind that Yura has never played in any of our friendlies, and we all know how we are with and without him in our lineup. Though with everything I've heard so far, I'd say Mer Hayrenik's scores make sense.
I'm hoping Ozbiliz makes his debut for the love of God, and maybe Mamedov gets called up.
I'm hoping Ozbiliz makes his debut for the love of God, and maybe Mamedov gets called up.
I'm thought they were going to have another set of friendlies before the WC Qualifications.
I'm curious to see who they plug in at RB.
I'm curious to see who they plug in at RB.
Just a note about this tournament - it's not 4 days, it's 2 days (28th and 29th February).
Also, it has always been played as semi-finals followed by a final and 3rd place match. It's impossible to know which team you will play on 29th until the semi-final match has been played!
Also - Canada is talking about it as a single match with Armenia on 29th February (no mention of a tournament).
http://canadasoccer.com/canada-to-face-armenia-in-february-friendly-p148907
Also, it has always been played as semi-finals followed by a final and 3rd place match. It's impossible to know which team you will play on 29th until the semi-final match has been played!
Also - Canada is talking about it as a single match with Armenia on 29th February (no mention of a tournament).
http://canadasoccer.com/canada-to-face-armenia-in-february-friendly-p148907
the director of our football association says that he is signing contracts with serbia and canada to play cyprus. no mention of tournament
I love the matchup against Serbia, the one against Canada is meh. Serbia's defense will be a great test for our guys in order to prep for the qualifiers, granted they have a questionable attacking side. A scoreless draw would be what I'm expecting here.
Canada, on the flip side, is a so/so opponent and I would have much preferred the Jamaican side to them. Jamaica's pace is much quicker and they have a good keeper. But it is what it is, and I believe we should be able to control the pace against Canada and defeat them 2-0.
As far as the days of the "tournament" go, according to the Serbian national teams wiki (yeah, I know, its just wiki), they have blank games set for the 28th and 29th of February in Cyprus
Canada, on the flip side, is a so/so opponent and I would have much preferred the Jamaican side to them. Jamaica's pace is much quicker and they have a good keeper. But it is what it is, and I believe we should be able to control the pace against Canada and defeat them 2-0.
As far as the days of the "tournament" go, according to the Serbian national teams wiki (yeah, I know, its just wiki), they have blank games set for the 28th and 29th of February in Cyprus
Serbia has definitely weakened. We certainly have the potential to beat them. I say we take the Serbia match 2-1 and we beat Canada 1-0 or 2-0.
Alright well, for those who don't live in Canada I guess it's up to us to deliver all the news about Armenia that our media brings up 
p starting with this...
CANADA'S GOT A DATE WITH ARMENIA
The Canadian men's national team will play Armenia in an international friendly on Feb. 29 in Cyprus.
The match, announced by the Canadian Soccer Association on Tuesday, takes place on the first FIFA International Date of the 2012 calendar year. The neutral site match will be the first meeting between the two nations.
Canada coach Stephen Hart revealed the Armenia game was arranged after plans to play New Zealand in London, England fell through.
"Armenia (was) an option presented to us. I did some quick homework on them (and) saw that they were a very effective attacking team, and I thought they would be a really good (opponent) for us," Hart told reporters during a conference call.
Although it failed to earn a tournament berth, Armenia posted an impressive 5-2-3 record in Euro 2012 qualifying, finishing third in its group behind Russia and Ireland. Armenia currently sits 46th in the FIFA world rankings, compared to 72nd-place Canada.
Hart believes Armenia presents a stiff challenge for Canada in terms of its preparation ahead of the next round of World Cup qualifiers in June.
"If you look at their individual players, they have a lot of attack-minded players that are at top clubs who have Champions League and Europa League experience," Hart stated. "Those players are very tricky, very dynamic, and I thought it would be healthy for our players to get some one-on-one match-ups against them."
Because MLS teams will be in pre-season training camps in February, Hart expects to rely heavily on European-based players for the match in Cyprus. Some European-based national team members may not be available, so Hart didn't rule out calling up MLS players.
One player who likely won't be in Cyprus is Atiba Hutchinson, Canada's star midfielder with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Hutchinson aggravated a knee injury while playing for Canada during a World Cup qualifier against St. Lucia last September, and has only recently returned to training with PSV.
"He played about 10 minutes in a reserve game (so) I don't think he'll be ready for this game," Hart admitted.
The Canadian coach revealed there are maybe one or two players who have not appeared for the national before that he is considering for this match, but the Canadian coach declined to offer any names.
Hart's Canadian side played three friendlies last year: a 1-0 loss to Greece (Feb. 9), a 1-0 win over Belarus (March 9), and a 2-2 draw with Ecuador in Toronto (June 1).
Canada has made it through to third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Reds will compete in a round-robin group with Cuba, Honduras and Panama where the top two teams will advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualification.
The Reds' first match is on the road against Cuba on June 8, followed by a home game (at an as-of-yet to be determined host city) against Honduras on June 12.
Hart said he hopes to gather his squad together in a training camp once the European club season is over and organize another exhibition match in late May or early June as a tune-up for the Cuba match.
Canada's only previous World Cup appearance came in 1986 in Mexico where it bowed out if the first round after suffering three shutout losses.
p starting with this...CANADA'S GOT A DATE WITH ARMENIA
The Canadian men's national team will play Armenia in an international friendly on Feb. 29 in Cyprus.
The match, announced by the Canadian Soccer Association on Tuesday, takes place on the first FIFA International Date of the 2012 calendar year. The neutral site match will be the first meeting between the two nations.
Canada coach Stephen Hart revealed the Armenia game was arranged after plans to play New Zealand in London, England fell through.
"Armenia (was) an option presented to us. I did some quick homework on them (and) saw that they were a very effective attacking team, and I thought they would be a really good (opponent) for us," Hart told reporters during a conference call.
Although it failed to earn a tournament berth, Armenia posted an impressive 5-2-3 record in Euro 2012 qualifying, finishing third in its group behind Russia and Ireland. Armenia currently sits 46th in the FIFA world rankings, compared to 72nd-place Canada.
Hart believes Armenia presents a stiff challenge for Canada in terms of its preparation ahead of the next round of World Cup qualifiers in June.
"If you look at their individual players, they have a lot of attack-minded players that are at top clubs who have Champions League and Europa League experience," Hart stated. "Those players are very tricky, very dynamic, and I thought it would be healthy for our players to get some one-on-one match-ups against them."
Because MLS teams will be in pre-season training camps in February, Hart expects to rely heavily on European-based players for the match in Cyprus. Some European-based national team members may not be available, so Hart didn't rule out calling up MLS players.
One player who likely won't be in Cyprus is Atiba Hutchinson, Canada's star midfielder with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Hutchinson aggravated a knee injury while playing for Canada during a World Cup qualifier against St. Lucia last September, and has only recently returned to training with PSV.
"He played about 10 minutes in a reserve game (so) I don't think he'll be ready for this game," Hart admitted.
The Canadian coach revealed there are maybe one or two players who have not appeared for the national before that he is considering for this match, but the Canadian coach declined to offer any names.
Hart's Canadian side played three friendlies last year: a 1-0 loss to Greece (Feb. 9), a 1-0 win over Belarus (March 9), and a 2-2 draw with Ecuador in Toronto (June 1).
Canada has made it through to third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Reds will compete in a round-robin group with Cuba, Honduras and Panama where the top two teams will advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualification.
The Reds' first match is on the road against Cuba on June 8, followed by a home game (at an as-of-yet to be determined host city) against Honduras on June 12.
Hart said he hopes to gather his squad together in a training camp once the European club season is over and organize another exhibition match in late May or early June as a tune-up for the Cuba match.
Canada's only previous World Cup appearance came in 1986 in Mexico where it bowed out if the first round after suffering three shutout losses.
Also, the same guy who wrote this article believes Canada made the right choice when choosing their opponent
John Molinaro @JohnMolinaro
Maybe it's just me, but I think Armenia is a WAY better opponent for Canada than New Zealand. Glad things worked out that way. #canMNT
I've actually been following the Canadian national team, I can honestly tell you guys that while they are skilled, they have to be one of the slowest teams i've ever seen in my life and their defense is extremely weak. They have a couple of goal scoring threats with De Rosario and Simeon Jackson, but if we play our counter-attacking game with our regular starters I see no reason to not win by at least two. If we jump on them early this could easily be another 4-0 romp. Canada has also had a really bad record with friendlies against Eastern European clubs.
lol as bad as this sounds, I am 100% anti-Canadian in this match just so our country gets some attention in the soccer world here. After the match though, I'll cheer for the Canucks again as usual.
John Molinaro @JohnMolinaro
Maybe it's just me, but I think Armenia is a WAY better opponent for Canada than New Zealand. Glad things worked out that way. #canMNT
I've actually been following the Canadian national team, I can honestly tell you guys that while they are skilled, they have to be one of the slowest teams i've ever seen in my life and their defense is extremely weak. They have a couple of goal scoring threats with De Rosario and Simeon Jackson, but if we play our counter-attacking game with our regular starters I see no reason to not win by at least two. If we jump on them early this could easily be another 4-0 romp. Canada has also had a really bad record with friendlies against Eastern European clubs.
lol as bad as this sounds, I am 100% anti-Canadian in this match just so our country gets some attention in the soccer world here. After the match though, I'll cheer for the Canucks again as usual.
Another article
Canada to play Armenia on Feb. 29 in men's friendly
by Canadian Soccer News
Published on 01-17-2012 04:18 PM 4 Comments
The leap year has brought a treat to fans of the Canadian men's national team: A friendly against Armenia on Feb. 29 at a neutral venue in Cyprus. Rumours had circulated that Canada would play New Zealand in London this date, and head coach Stephen Hart confirmed that this was originally the team's plan.
"But that fell through due to some complications," Hart said on Tuesday.
Instead, Les Rouges will square off against a mid-level European team, following a trend established in the past few years with games against the likes of Ukraine, Macedonia and Belarus. Hart said he expects to use predominantly in-form European-based players for the game -- though as always, those plans are subject to change if circumstances warrant.
Atiba Hutchinson, still recovering from surgery, is unlikely to be one of those players, according to Hart. As for Josh Simpson, who parted ways with his Turkish club earlier on Tuesday, "we'll play that one by ear." Hart said he has his eye on "one or two" European-based players on the fringes of the national team for potential call-ups, but declined to provide names.
With a short, three-day FIFA international window, Hart said playing the game at a neutral venue was a "logistical necessity" more than a deliberate choice. But given the difficulty Canada often has in scheduling games at all -- and considering that the original plan fell apart -- Hart was just thankful to have an opportunity to get most of his players together in a competitive environment.
"I'm really happy we've got a game to play," said Hart. "The opposition is an excellent one."
As of Tuesday, Canada sits at #72 in the FIFA world rankings, while Armenia is at #46; however, FIFA is set to update the men's world rankings on Wednesday. This is the first-ever meeting between the senior men's teams of the two nations, and Hart described the Armenian squad as a "really effective attacking team" and "very tricky, very dynamic."
The Feb. 29 game will be Canada's last chance to play a full international friendly prior to the resumption of World Cup qualifying in June. Hart couldn't say what his plans for the team would be in the intervening gap, but was thankful to have this opportunity to "have some one-on-ones with players" about his plans for qualifying.
Our men's national team resumes its World Cup qualifying campaign on June 8 in Cuba, then returns home to play Honduras on June 12. The venues for Canada's three scheduled home qualifiers in 2012 are yet to be announced, though the CSA has hinted that such details should be available next month.
Canada will need to finish first or second in its four-team group (which also includes Panama) this year in order to advance to the final round of regional World Cup qualifying in 2013.
Canada to play Armenia on Feb. 29 in men's friendly
by Canadian Soccer News
Published on 01-17-2012 04:18 PM 4 Comments
The leap year has brought a treat to fans of the Canadian men's national team: A friendly against Armenia on Feb. 29 at a neutral venue in Cyprus. Rumours had circulated that Canada would play New Zealand in London this date, and head coach Stephen Hart confirmed that this was originally the team's plan.
"But that fell through due to some complications," Hart said on Tuesday.
Instead, Les Rouges will square off against a mid-level European team, following a trend established in the past few years with games against the likes of Ukraine, Macedonia and Belarus. Hart said he expects to use predominantly in-form European-based players for the game -- though as always, those plans are subject to change if circumstances warrant.
Atiba Hutchinson, still recovering from surgery, is unlikely to be one of those players, according to Hart. As for Josh Simpson, who parted ways with his Turkish club earlier on Tuesday, "we'll play that one by ear." Hart said he has his eye on "one or two" European-based players on the fringes of the national team for potential call-ups, but declined to provide names.
With a short, three-day FIFA international window, Hart said playing the game at a neutral venue was a "logistical necessity" more than a deliberate choice. But given the difficulty Canada often has in scheduling games at all -- and considering that the original plan fell apart -- Hart was just thankful to have an opportunity to get most of his players together in a competitive environment.
"I'm really happy we've got a game to play," said Hart. "The opposition is an excellent one."
As of Tuesday, Canada sits at #72 in the FIFA world rankings, while Armenia is at #46; however, FIFA is set to update the men's world rankings on Wednesday. This is the first-ever meeting between the senior men's teams of the two nations, and Hart described the Armenian squad as a "really effective attacking team" and "very tricky, very dynamic."
The Feb. 29 game will be Canada's last chance to play a full international friendly prior to the resumption of World Cup qualifying in June. Hart couldn't say what his plans for the team would be in the intervening gap, but was thankful to have this opportunity to "have some one-on-ones with players" about his plans for qualifying.
Our men's national team resumes its World Cup qualifying campaign on June 8 in Cuba, then returns home to play Honduras on June 12. The venues for Canada's three scheduled home qualifiers in 2012 are yet to be announced, though the CSA has hinted that such details should be available next month.
Canada will need to finish first or second in its four-team group (which also includes Panama) this year in order to advance to the final round of regional World Cup qualifying in 2013.
Look for Canada to test out a few inexperienced European based professionals in this game.
I doubt we will see any called in from North America.
I doubt we will see any called in from North America.
I dont know about you guys but I think Canada is going to get it if we play at full strength. These guys have an awful team, the most notable ones are Julian de Guzman and Atiba.Hutchinson. I say an easy4-0 win on cyprus.
you guys think De Rosario will play for Canada??
he is by far their best player and MLS is in pre-season at that time...
he is by far their best player and MLS is in pre-season at that time...
FIFA has officially put the Serbia match on the 28th, meaning we will play one day after another most likely. I'm really interested to see what Minasyan is planning on doing. I do feel we certainly have much more depth than before though, especially in the mid-field and up front.
Forwards:
Movsisyan
Sarkisov
Ghazaryan (of midfield)
Ozbiliz (or midfield)
Mamedov
Badalyan
Midfield:
Ghazaryan (or forward)
Ozbiliz (or forward)
Heno
Marcos
Mkrtchyan
Yedigaryan
Badoyan
Malakyan
If Canada is going for an all-European lineup against us like Stephen Hart suggested, I would suggest going for a half Senior, half U-21 lineup on that one. The Serbia match should be the full lineup though.
Good news is Serbia is going through a rebuild mode right now, so nows the perfect time to get that win back that we deserved a few years ago (no thanks to "Lionel" Hakopyan)
Forwards:
Movsisyan
Sarkisov
Ghazaryan (of midfield)
Ozbiliz (or midfield)
Mamedov
Badalyan
Midfield:
Ghazaryan (or forward)
Ozbiliz (or forward)
Heno
Marcos
Mkrtchyan
Yedigaryan
Badoyan
Malakyan
If Canada is going for an all-European lineup against us like Stephen Hart suggested, I would suggest going for a half Senior, half U-21 lineup on that one. The Serbia match should be the full lineup though.
Good news is Serbia is going through a rebuild mode right now, so nows the perfect time to get that win back that we deserved a few years ago (no thanks to "Lionel" Hakopyan)
Երկու խաղ` երկու օրում
Փետրվարի 25-29-ին Կիպրոսում ուսումնամարզական հավաք են անցկացնելու Հայաստանի ֆուտբոլի ազգային ու երիտասարդական հավաքականները, իսկ փետրվարի 29-ին` ՖԻՖԱ-ի օրացույցով ազգային հավաքականների հանդիպումների օրը, Կիպրոսի Լիմասոլ քաղաքի «Ցիրիոն» ստադիոնում ֆուտբոլի Հայաստանի ազգային հավաքականը 2012 թվականի իր առաջին հանդիպումը կանցկացնի. ընկերական խաղում մեր ընտրանին կմրցի Կանադայի հավաքականի հետ: Երեկ այդ մասին 3 երկրների ֆուտբոլի ֆեդերացիաները (Հայաստան, Կանադա, Կիպրոս) կնքել են համապատասխան պայմանագիր: Կանադայի հետ Հայաստանի հավաքականը կհանդիպի առաջին անգամ. Կանադան կլինի 52-րդ երկրի ազգային հավաքականը, որի հետ մեր ընտրանին խաղացել է երբեւէ: Մեր տեղեկություններով, Հայաստան-Կանադա խաղից մեկ օր առաջ` փետրվարի 28-ին, նույն ստադիոնում ոչ պաշտոնական ընկերական խաղ կանցկացնեն Հայաստանի երիտասարդական ու Սերբիայի 2-րդ հավաքականները: Հիշեցնենք, որ 2011 թվականի առաջին խաղն էլ Հայաստանի ընտրանին անցկացրել է Լիմասոլի «Ցիրիոն» ստադիոնում. մեկ տարի առաջ` փետրվարի 9-ին Հայաստանը ընկերական խաղում 1-2 հաշվով զիջեց Վրաստանին:
So it's Armenia U-21 Vs. Serbia-2? Then Armenia Vs. Canada full squad?
Apparently Serbia also has a match on the 29th Vs. Cyprus.
Փետրվարի 25-29-ին Կիպրոսում ուսումնամարզական հավաք են անցկացնելու Հայաստանի ֆուտբոլի ազգային ու երիտասարդական հավաքականները, իսկ փետրվարի 29-ին` ՖԻՖԱ-ի օրացույցով ազգային հավաքականների հանդիպումների օրը, Կիպրոսի Լիմասոլ քաղաքի «Ցիրիոն» ստադիոնում ֆուտբոլի Հայաստանի ազգային հավաքականը 2012 թվականի իր առաջին հանդիպումը կանցկացնի. ընկերական խաղում մեր ընտրանին կմրցի Կանադայի հավաքականի հետ: Երեկ այդ մասին 3 երկրների ֆուտբոլի ֆեդերացիաները (Հայաստան, Կանադա, Կիպրոս) կնքել են համապատասխան պայմանագիր: Կանադայի հետ Հայաստանի հավաքականը կհանդիպի առաջին անգամ. Կանադան կլինի 52-րդ երկրի ազգային հավաքականը, որի հետ մեր ընտրանին խաղացել է երբեւէ: Մեր տեղեկություններով, Հայաստան-Կանադա խաղից մեկ օր առաջ` փետրվարի 28-ին, նույն ստադիոնում ոչ պաշտոնական ընկերական խաղ կանցկացնեն Հայաստանի երիտասարդական ու Սերբիայի 2-րդ հավաքականները: Հիշեցնենք, որ 2011 թվականի առաջին խաղն էլ Հայաստանի ընտրանին անցկացրել է Լիմասոլի «Ցիրիոն» ստադիոնում. մեկ տարի առաջ` փետրվարի 9-ին Հայաստանը ընկերական խաղում 1-2 հաշվով զիջեց Վրաստանին:
So it's Armenia U-21 Vs. Serbia-2? Then Armenia Vs. Canada full squad?
Apparently Serbia also has a match on the 29th Vs. Cyprus.
Match with Serbia has been taken off the FIFA website. Anyone mind asking Rubo on facebook what's the deal?
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