FC Pyunik

Football Club Pyunik Yerevan (Armenian: Ֆուտբոլային Ակումբ Փյունիկ Երևան), commonly known as Pyunik is an Armenian professional sports club based in the Kentron neighbourhood of Yerevan. Pyunik is mostly known for its professional football team which, since its creation in 1992, has always played in the Armenian Premier League, becoming the most successful team of Armenia in number of official titles, with 31 won to date.[1][2][3][4]

Pyunik
Փյունիկ
Full nameFootball Club Pyunik Yerevan
Nickname(s)Ակադեմիա Akademiya (The Academy)
FoundedJanuary 20, 1992 (1992-01-20)
GroundVazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
Yerevan
Capacity14,403
PresidentArthur Soghomonyan
Managervacant
LeagueArmenian Premier League
2019–208th
WebsiteClub website

Internationally, Pyunik has yet to win an international title, with the closest result being a bronze place finish in the 2006 Commonwealth of Independent States Cup.[5] Pyunik's domestic success usually qualifies the team for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. Pyunik is also known to be one of the most popular football clubs in Armenia, along with Urartu, Shirak and Ararat.[6]

Pyunik has always had a fierce rivalry with Ararat, as both clubs are considered to be the most successful clubs in Armenia, the latter due to its Soviet accomplishments.[7] Both clubs are also the two most popular in the country and favorites within the Armenian Diaspora. Pyunik also shares a rivalry with Urartu which began when Urartu relocated from Abovyan to Yerevan in 2001, and became the third largest team in the city. The Pyunik-Urartu rivalry is seen as one of the biggest clashes in Armenian football.

Pyunik's home stadium is the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, which is also home to the Armenia national football team. The youth academy has produced many Armenian internationals such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Robert Arzumanyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Edgar Manucharyan, Varazdat Haroyan and Gevorg Ghazaryan, many who have played or are playing for top European clubs.

History

Pyunik was founded in 1992 by Armenian football legend Khoren Oganesian and originally named Homenetmen Yerevan.[8] The club won the first Armenian Premier League competition held in 1992 which it shared with Shirak since both teams were tied on points. In 1995, Homenetmen Yerevan was renamed FC Pyunik (Armenian for "Phoenix"). Following the change of name, Pyunik went on to win the 1995–96 Armenian Premier League and end the season with a 59-match unbeaten streak.[9]

In 1996, Pyunik played its first international cup match, a UEFA Europa League qualifying match against Finnish club HJK Helsinki which Pyunik won 3-1.[10] Pyunik also won the 1996-97 Armenian Premier League securing itself another chance at qualifying for an international cup playoffs the following year.[11]

In 1997, Pyunik played its first UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Hungarian side MTK Budapest FC yet failed to qualify for the playoffs following a 6-3 defeat on aggregate.[12]

1998 proved to be a crucial year for the club following the loss of its main source of funding and the subsequent departure of its main players. Pyunik finished 6th that season and withdrew from football altogether.

Pyunik secured a comeback to professional football following its absorption of FC Armenicum, a newly-promoted team to the Armenian Premier League. The club's new management sought to bring more experience to the club and reinforced the squad with foreign players from Argentina, Cameroon, Mali and Romania. The reinforcements brought positive results and Pyunik went on to win the 2001 Armenian Premier League and 2002 Armenian Cup.[13][14]

2002 saw Pyunik advance to the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying round after beating Finnish champions Tampere United 6-0 on aggregate.[15] From 2002 forwards, Pyunik went on to win the Armenian Premier League a record of 10 times in a row, from 2001 to 2010.

On 8 January 2020, former Armenian international goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was announced as the club's new manager.[16] Just over 7-months later, 13 July 2020, Berezovsky left the club by mutual consent.[17] On 20 July 2020, Artak Oseyan was announced as Pyunik's new manager.[18]

Domestic history
Season League Armenian Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League
1992 Armenian Premier League 1st 22 17 3 2 75 31 37 Runner-Up Poghos Galstyan 26
1993 4th 28 21 3 4 80 29 45 Semi-final Gegham Hovhannisyan 26
1994 2nd 28 23 1 4 113 24 47 Semi-final Arsen Avetisyan 39
1995 2nd1 10 5 4 1 31 8 19 Quarter-final Arsen Avetisyan 12
1995–96 1st 22 19 3 0 71 14 60 Winner
1996–97 1st 22 19 2 1 67 9 59 Runner-Up Arsen Avetisyan 24
1997 4th 18 11 2 5 42 16 35 Varazdat Avetisyan 10
1998 6th 26 6 3 17 27 68 21 Semi-final
1999 Club did not participate.
2000
2001 Armenian Premier League 1st 22 17 2 3 77 23 53 Semi-final Arman Karamyan 21
2002 1st 22 19 2 1 85 14 59 Winner Arman Karamyan 36
2003 1st 28 23 5 0 87 11 74 Semi-final Galust Petrosyan 12
2004 1st 28 22 5 1 89 25 71 Winner Edgar Manucharyan/Galust Petrosyan 21
2005 1st 20 11 6 3 35 15 39 Quarter-final Tigran Davtyan 9
2006 1st 28 23 4 1 86 23 73 Runner-Up Arsen Avetisyan 15
2007 1st 28 18 3 7 58 22 57 Semi-final Henrikh Mkhitaryan 12
2008 1st2 28 18 5 5 40 18 59 Semi-final Albert Tadevosyan 10
2009 1st 28 20 5 3 64 13 65 Winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan 11
2010 1st 28 20 5 3 73 22 65 Winner Gevorg Ghazaryan / Marcos Pizzelli 16
2011 3rd 28 12 10 6 33 28 46 Quarter-final Edgar Manucharyan 8
2011–12Only Cup competition was held Quarter-final
2012–13 4th 42 19 6 17 67 51 63 Winner Viulen Ayvazyan 11
2013–14 6th 28 8 8 12 41 39 32 Winner Sarkis Baloyan 10
2014–15 1st 28 19 4 5 58 26 61 Winner César Romero 21
2015–16 3rd 28 13 9 6 44 21 48 Quarter-final Vardan Pogosyan 9
2016–17 4th 30 12 9 9 35 27 45 Runner-Up Alik Arakelyan 6 Sargis Hovsepyan
Artak Oseyan
2017–18 5th 30 9 9 12 37 41 36 Quarter-final Alik Arakelyan 7 Armen Gyulbudaghyants
Aleksei Yeryomenko
Armen Gyulbudaghyants
2018–19 2nd 32 18 6 8 46 32 60 Quarter-final Erik Vardanyan 8 Andrei Talalayev
Aleksandr Tarkhanov
2019–20 8th 22 8 2 12 39 42 26 Second Round Denis Mahmudov 9 Aleksandr Tarkhanov
Suren Chakhalyan (Caretaker)
Roman Berezovsky
    • Due to the 1995 season being a transitional season, there was no official winner of championship.
    • Championship was decided by a decision game.

    European history
    As of match played 15 August 2019
    Competition GP W D L GF GA +/-
    UEFA Champions League3487193057-27
    UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup2695122748-21
    Total6017123157105−48
    Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
    1996–97 UEFA Cup QR HJK Helsinki 3–1 2–5 (aet) 5–6
    1997–98 UEFA Champions League 1Q MTK Budapest 0–2 3–4 3–6
    2002–03 UEFA Champions League 1Q Tampere United 2–0 4–0 6–0
    2Q Dynamo Kyiv 2–2 0–4 2–6
    2003–04 UEFA Champions League 1Q KR Reykjavík 1–0 1–1 2–1
    2Q CSKA Sofia 0–2 0–1 0–3
    2004–05 UEFA Champions League 1Q Pobeda Prilep 1–1 3–1 4–2
    2Q Shakhtar Donetsk 1–3 0–1 1–4
    2005–06 UEFA Champions League 1Q Haka Valkeakoski 2–2 0–1 2–3
    2006–07 UEFA Champions League 1Q Sheriff Tiraspol 0–0 0–2 0–2
    2007–08 UEFA Champions League 1Q Derry City 2–0 0–0 2–0
    2Q Shakhtar Donetsk 0–2 1–2 1–4
    2008–09 UEFA Champions League 1Q Anorthosis Famagusta 0–2 0–1 0–3
    2009–10 UEFA Champions League 2Q Dinamo Zagreb 0–0 0–3 0–3
    2010–11 UEFA Champions League 2Q Partizan Belgrade 0–1 1–3 1–4
    2011–12 UEFA Champions League 2Q Viktoria Plzeň 0–4 1–5 1–9
    2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1Q Zeta Golubovci 0–3 2–1 2–4
    2013–14 UEFA Europa League 1Q Teteks Tetovo 1–0 1–1 2–1
    2Q Žalgiris Vilnius 1–1 0–2 1–3
    2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1Q Astana 1–4 0–2 1–6
    2015–16 UEFA Champions League 1Q Folgore 2–1 2–1 4–2
    2Q Molde FK 1–0 0–5 1–5
    2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1Q Europa FC 2–1 0–2 2–3
    2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovan Bratislava 1–4 0–5 1–9
    2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1Q Vardar 1–0 2–0 3–0
    2Q Tobol 1–0 1–2 2–2 (a)
    3Q Maccabi Tel Aviv 0–0 1–2 1–2
    2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1Q Shkupi 3–3 2–1 5–4
    2Q Jablonec 2–1 0–0 2–1
    3Q Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–4 0–4 0–8

    Kit and badge

    Throughout the seasons, Pyunik has predominantly worn blue and white jerseys, with a few exceptions including Pyunik's first jerseys which were orange and

    Puma is the club's current kit supplier since 2019.[19]

    On 3 August 2020, Pyunik announced that Joma would be supplying the team's kit for the 2020–21 season.[20]

    Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
    Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsors
    1992–95
    1995–98Erima
    2001–02Erima/Diadora
    2002–03Holani
    2003–04Puma
    2004–05Holani
    2005–09HummelComplex
    2010–13Armenian Development Bank
    2014–18NikeArmenian Development Bank/Gold's Gym
    2018–19UmbroGold's Gym
    2019–20PumaTotoGaming
    2020–Joma[20]

    Badge

    The club has had five different designs for its badge during its history, with the first three designs being significantly different from each other. Following the club's reappearance in 2001, Pyunik introduced its iconic logo design which included a bold letter P placed on top of a football. The club kept this design for 13 years before introducing a double-headed golden phoenix crest in 2014. This change resulted unpopular among the fans and Pyunik introduced a new badge in 2019, this time returning to its original round shape with a predominantly blue logo and a red phoenix in the center.

    • 1992–95
    • 2014–18
    • 2019–present

    Stadium
    Main article: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
    The stadium during Soviet times
    Stadium view
    The stadium during a Champions League qualifying match

    Pyunik used several locations throughout its history. Between 1992 and 1998, Pyunik played at Hrazdan Stadium, Armenia's largest stadium with a capacity for 54,208 spectators.[21]

    In 2001, following the renovations works done at the Republican Stadium two years before, Pyunik relocated and played all its home matches there until 2013, with a brief interruption in 2008, when the club was forced to play at Pyunik Stadium; its training ground, due to renovation works at the Republican Stadium.

    Between 2013 and 2017, the Yerevan Football Academy served as a home venue for all domestic competitions, while still using the Republican Stadium for international fixtures. At the beginning of 2017–18 Armenian Premier League season, Pyunik used the Republican Stadium as a home venue during the first half of the season, and eventually returning to their own Pyunik Stadium during the second half.

    The Republican Stadium is also the home of the Armenian national football team, and is sometimes used by other Armenian teams for their international cup fixtures.

    The club is currently planning on building an all-seater 5,000 capacity stadium by 2022.[22]

    List of stadiums used by the club

    Supporters
    Sector 18

    Pyunik's supporter base is traditionally regarded as part of Yerevan's higher class, in contrast with the supposedly more lower-class base of cross-town arch rival FC Urartu. Because of the club's history and recent success, the fanbase has grown not only in Yerevan, but in other provinces of Armenia and within the Armenian Diaspora as well.

    Pyunik is considered to be one of the most popular clubs in Armenia, and has one of the biggest Ultras fanbases in Armenia, called Sector 18, named after the sector they occupy at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.[23]

    Rivalries

    Pyunik's rivalry with Ararat originates with the creation of the club itself. Pyunik's founder Khoren Oganesian, is considered an Ararat club idol, due to his achievements at the club during the Soviet period, winning the 1975 Soviet Cup. Pyunik's success in recent history has led the club's image to surpass that of Ararat, which has led to arguments over which club has had a bigger impact on Armenian football.

    The other rivalry, between Pyunik and Urartu is also known as the clash of Yerevan neighborhoods, since Pyunik is located in the wealthier Kentron neighborhood, whereas Urartu is located in the lower-class Malatia-Sebastia neighborhood. The rivalry between both teams originates from Urartu's relocation from Abovyan to Yerevan in 2001, competing with and eventually becoming one of the largest teams in the city. Both teams' youth academies also compete with each other as they are considered to be two of the best in the country.

    Players

    Current squad
    As of 3 February 2021[24]

    Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

    No. Pos. Nation Player
    1 GK  ARM Sevak Aslanyan
    2 DF  ARM Serob Grigoryan
    3 DF  ARM Artur Kartashyan
    4 DF  ARM Perch Poghikyan
    5 MF  NGA Julius Ufuoma
    6 MF  ARM Norayr Ghazaryan
    7 MF  ARM Erik Azizyan
    8 MF  ARM Gor Malakyan
    9 FW  RUS Anton Kobyalko
    10 MF  ARM Artur Grigoryan
    12 MF  NGA Muhammad Ladan (on loan from Sochi)
    13 MF  BFA Dramane Salou
    15 DF  CIV Alexandre Yeoule
    16 GK  ARM Vlad Chatunts
    17 FW  ARM Levon Vardanyan
    18 MF  ARM Alik Arakelyan
    19 MF  RUS Artyom Avanesyan (on loan from Ararat-Armenia)
    21 MF  ARM Daniel Aghbalyan
    No. Pos. Nation Player
    22 DF  ARM Robert Hakobyan
    23 MF  ARM Aras Özbiliz
    24 DF  RWA Salomon Nirisarike
    25 DF  RUS Magomed Musalov
    26 DF  ARM Arsen Sargsyan
    27 DF  ARM Edmon Movsisyan
    28 FW  ARM Narek Hovhannisyan
    30 DF  ARM Erik Avetisyan
    71 GK  RUS Stanislav Buchnev
    77 MF  ARM Armen Nahapetyan (on loan from Ararat-Armenia)
    77 DF  UKR Ihor Honchar
    94 GK  UKR Herman Penkov
    95 DF  UKR Anton Bratkov
    96 DF  ARM Arman Hovhannisyan
    99 FW  UKR Mykyta Tatarkov
    — DF  ARM Robert Darbinyan
    — MF  BRA Higor
    For recent transfers, see List of Armenian football transfers summer 2020 and List of Armenian football transfers winter 2020–21.

    Technical staff
    Position Name
    Manager vacant
    Assistant Coach Robert Arzumanyan[16]
    Goalkeepers Coach Hayk Kirakosyan
    Team Doctor Oleg Golubev
    Masseur Robert Nersisyan
    Team Administrator Hovhannes Hayrapetyan
    Team Manager Vitali Dektyarov
    Pyunik-2 Coach Albert Sargsyan

    Institutional

    Executive board

    Arthur Soghomonyan is the current owner and President of Pyunik since 2017.

    • Vice-president: Robert Gasparyan
    • 2nd Vice-president: Aleksandr Tarkhanov
    • Executive Director: Tigran Martirosyan

    Staff
    • Development: Aleksandr Tarkhanov
    • Youth Academy: Albert Sargsyan
    • Sporting Director: Samvel Arustamyan
    • Chief Scout: Robert Arzumanyan
    • Press Secretary: Shushanik Hakobyan
    • Marketing and Public Relations: Vera Martirosyan
    • Officer: Vardan Tsaturyan

    Honours

    Armenian Premier League

    Armenian Cup

    Armenian Super Cup

    • Winners (9): 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015 (record)
    Notes

      Other sports sections

      Football reserves and academy

      The reserve is currently coached by Yuri Tarkhanov and competes in the Armenian First League. The youth academy is managed by Albert Sargsyan.[25]

      Notable players from the youth academy include Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Robert Arzumanyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Edgar Manucharyan, Varazdat Haroyan and Gevorg Ghazaryan.

      References
      1. "Հայաստանի Առաջնության, Գավաթի և Սուպերգավաթի խաղարկությունները". freenet.am. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      2. "Armenia - List of Cup Finals". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      3. "Club History". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      4. "Armenia - List of Champions". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      5. "Commonwealth of Independent States Cup 2006". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      6. "Armenia: Top Armenian Football Clubs". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      7. "Armenia always a football hotbed". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      8. (2005) Encyclopedia of Football Head. "George - Hirair LTD", page 63.
      9. "Armenia 1995/96". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      10. "Pyunik FC » Record against HJK Helsinki". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      11. 1996–97 Armenian Premier League
      12. "Pyunik FC » Record against MTK Budapest". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      13. "Armenia 2001 Premier League". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      14. "Armenia 2002 Premier League". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      15. "2002/03, First qualifying round, 2nd leg". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      16. "Ռոման Բերեզովսկին՝ Փյունիկի գլխավոր մարզիչ". fcpyunik.am/ (in Armenian). FC Pyunik. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
      17. "Պաշտոնական հայտարարություն․ Ռոման Բերեզովսկի". fcpyunik.am/ (in Armenian). FC Pyunik. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
      18. "New appointment: Artak Oseyan". fcpyunik.am/. FC Pyunik. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
      19. "Evolution of Pyunik jerseys: 1992-2019 (Photos)". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      20. "Joma - new partner of Pyunik FC". fcpyunik.am/. FC Pyunik. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
      21. "Stadiums". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      22. "Le propriétaire du club de football Pyunik envisage d'investir 15 millions de dollars dans la construction d'un stade et d'une base sportive pour son club". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      23. "Sector 18 Pyunik FC". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
      24. "Pyunik". fcpyunik.am/. FC Pyunik. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
      25. "Management". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
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