Trapattoni: maybe our next opponent is not a team as good as ArmeniaOctober 12, 2011 - 11:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Giovanni Trapattoni wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when he entered the post-match press conference room last night, doubtless conscious that his interrogators would once more be drawing unflattering distinctions between the show and the result, The Irish Examiner reports. But for the Ireland manager, the quiet satisfaction had been in watching his team, however haltingly, come out on top against a side for which he has developed considerable admiration. "I think Armenia is one of the best teams in the group and for us it’s a very great result," he said. "In the first half Armenia played very well and it was very difficult to control them. But as I said yesterday, in this game we could see our maturity and how the team has improved. They showed a good reaction and a good attitude.” Trapattoni was not prepared to accept that Ireland had once more reaped the benefits of a lucky break or three. "I repeat, Armenia played well but I don’t remember a very difficult situation for Shay Given. I don’t remember him making too many saves. Yes, we were lucky in Russia, I have admitted that, but even though Armenia played better football than us, I don’t remember us being in trouble. "But I repeat, even with 10 men Armenia played well. I knew they would. They played well against Macedonia, Russia and Slovakia. I saw these games." Asked if Ireland would need to play better in the play-offs, Trapattoni replied: "Yes, but all opponents are not the same. Maybe our next opponent is not a team as good as Armenia." Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |