The Armenian nationwide crew will usher in a brand new period once they march onto the pitch to tackle Montenegro on March 24 at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium: life with out Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The star midfielder introduced his retirement from the nationwide crew earlier this month, ending a memorable 15-year run which elevated the Armenian nationwide crew from worldwide obscurity to a good program with a vivid future.
“I wished to win each step of my profession, irrespective of how troublesome that may be,” Mkhitaryan wrote in an emotional Instagram put up. “It was an honor to play for my nation for the previous 15 years and much more so of an honor to captain it for the final six years.”
When Mkhitaryan entered the scene for his first profession worldwide sport – a pleasant in opposition to Panama in 2007 – Armenia was 123rd within the earlier yr’s FIFA world rankings. This was the bottom rating within the historical past of unbiased Armenian soccer.
Mkhitaryan’s affect was not quick as it will take him two years to document his first profession objective with the nationwide crew. However as soon as he got here into his personal, “Heno” propelled his nation to new heights.
In the course of the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup qualification event, Mkhitaryan excelled on the worldwide stage, scoring six objectives in 10 video games and main Armenia to a third-place end. Solely a controversial loss to Eire prevented Armenia from advancing to the play-off for an opportunity to clinch a berth to its first Euro Cup.
The 5 wins and 17 factors Armenia attained through the qualifiers are nonetheless essentially the most by the nation in a world qualification event. After the qualifiers, Armenia reached its highest worldwide rating – climbing as much as thirty fifth on this planet in 2013.
Mkhitaryan completed his worldwide profession with 95 appearances – the second-most in Armenian historical past. His 32 objectives are essentially the most within the nation’s historical past and 18 greater than Gevorg Ghazaryan and Yura Movsisyan, who’re tied for second on the all-time objectives record for Armenia.
“Henrikh is one of the best participant of unbiased Armenian historical past,” Soccer Federation of Armenia president Armen Melikbekyan stated after Mkhitaryan’s announcement. “His contribution can’t be overestimated. The doorways of the Armenian nationwide crew will at all times be open for him.”
“I used to be fortunate to take pleasure in Henrikh enjoying and coaching within the nationwide crew,” head coach Joaquin Caparros stated. “I feel that Heno is greater than only a participant for Armenian soccer.”
Regardless of his on-field success, Mkhitaryan was unable to guide Armenia to its first World Cup or Euro Cup look. However for a decade and a half, the nationwide crew had a world-class menace on the pitch that might change the sport at any second.
Due to this, Armenia finds itself in a good place as they enter life with out Mkhitaryan. For one, they’ve proven they will win with out him. All three of their wins throughout the newest World Cup qualifiers got here sans Heno. Secondly, Armenia will take part in League B of the UEFA Nations League for the primary time this yr. A robust efficiency may additional increase Armenia’s world rank and place them for an look on the 2024 Euro Cup.
Mkhitaryan leaves the nationwide crew in good arms. With up-and-coming gamers like Lucas Zelarayan, Tigran Barseghyan and Varazdat Haroyan, Armenia will be assured they will proceed to develop within the post-Heno period.
Andre Khatchaturian is a seasoned digital content material producer and the sports activities correspondent for The Armenian Weekly. He’s the founding father of Camak Media, a multimedia firm specializing in drone footage, video content material and pictures for small companies. Previous to this, he produced video and written content material on the New England Sports activities Community (NESN). He has additionally offered protection at three Tremendous Bowls and greater than a dozen high-profile UFC fights. Andre is from Glendale, California. He graduated from the College of Southern California with a bachelor’s diploma in arithmetic. He moved to Boston in 2013, the place he attended Boston College and graduated with a grasp’s diploma in broadcast journalism.