Armenia boss out to stun ‘giants’

WE’VE grown so accustomed to Giovanni Trapattoni casting Ireland as David versus Goliath that it almost came as a shock yesterday to hear an opposition manager insisting that the roles should be reversed.

But at his pre-match press conference in Yerevan, Armenian coach Vardan Minasyan left his audience in no doubt how he sees the balance of power going into the opening night of the Group B campaign.

“It’s a strong group but the favourites, for me, are Russia and Ireland,” he said. “Then Slovakia and Macedonia, who are also strong teams. Ireland have many high quality players and if one doesn’t play, you have another choice.