Ukrainian specialist Alexander Petrakov was recognized as the best coach of Armenia in 2023. However, the results of the vote conducted by the FFA received an ambiguous response among the fans. Many are of the opinion that Yeghishe Melikyan, head of Pyunik, deserved the title of coach of the year. Not considering it appropriate to refer to the results of the voting, let’s talk about the work done by Petrakov and the result. Alexander Petrakov was appointed the head coach of the Armenian national team on January 14 of this year. At that moment, our team is 95th in the FIFA classification table. In 2023, the Armenian national team finished at the 93rd place in the classification table. In other words, in terms of general results, the work of the Ukrainian specialist should be considered positive. In the classification table, however, we continue to lose to such teams as, for example, Oman, Bahrain, Cape Verde,…
For years, when our team was falling in the FIFA ranking, everyone argued that the ranking list of the number one football body did not reflect the real picture. Many are still of the opinion that the number one football structure is making a wrong calculation and is not objectively distributing the points to the national teams. Years ago, however, when our team came in 30th position, we were proud, even “praising our heads”. That is, this ranking table is treated by many as it comes, depending on the situation. Before the famous match with Norway, most of the fans were sure that our team will defeat the teams listed above. Now the number of people with such a belief is not so large. Yes, the current team is likely to win against Oman, but that doesn’t mean we deserve to be ranked higher than this country’s team at the moment. Until the match against Wales in June, the Armenian national team had not managed to win 9 matches, which is a shameful result.
Before the arrival of Alexander Petrakov, the Armenian national team performed so unsuccessfully that we have no right to complain about the rating at this time. In terms of Europe, we can say that we were one of the weakest. In 2018 we failed to beat Malta, drew with Liechtenstein, lost to Gibraltar. In the previous qualifying round, we again competed with Liechtenstein. We won the opening game and it seemed like the cart was moving. However, in the Yerevan match, we again drew with Liechtenstein. Many may not agree, but the 93rd place in the FIFA ranking reflects the real position of our team in world football. Moreover, today in the world, you can count on your fingers the teams that have conceded 9 goals twice in two years. In Europe, apart from Armenia, only the San Marino semi-professional team conceded 9 goals.
It is possible that if we had performed in the Asian zone, we would have been in a higher position in the classification table today. That is, having recorded higher results on a qualitatively lower level, we would have been in a higher place in the general calculation. The non-European teams in a better position than Armenia in the FIFA list have shown results. Objectively, they deserve to be ranked higher than us. Unlike, for example, Kyrgyzstan or Palestine, we do not record results.
After seeing the shameful picture, Petrakov agreed to lead our team. After defeating Ules and Latvia, it can be said that a breakthrough happened. We also managed to make some progress in the FIFA ranking. In order to write a tangible rise, it is necessary to continue to show good football, which is the main guarantee of achieving results.
