Armenia boosted their hopes of clinching Group B’s second place in 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying with a dramatic 2-1 victory over nine-man Bulgaria in Yerevan, denting their opponents’ ambitions in the process.
The hosts took the lead just before half-time, Aras Ozbiliz despatching a free-kick into the top corner after Bulgaria defender Nikolay Bodurov had been sent off for a foul on him.
Ivelin Popov got Bulgaria back on level terms with a free-kick of his own just after the hour, but the visitors’ cause was hindered by the dismissal of midfielder Svetoslav Dyakov moments later and Yura Movsisyan pressed home Armenia’s numerical advantage by netting an 87th-minute winner.
The result lifted Armenia to within one point of Bulgaria as the battle to finish runners-up behind Italy intensified ahead of the final round of matches.
Armenia complete their group campaign in Naples against Italy on Tuesday, while Bulgaria take on Czech Republic in Sofia.
