7M - Armenia 1-2 Belarus: Experimental Squad Falls Short In Yerevan Friendly Despite Bichakhchyan Penalty

Armenia suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Belarus in an international friendly played in Yerevan on March 29 2026. The visitors took an early lead through Yevgeny Yablonsky in the 8th minute. Herman Barkovsky extended Belarus advantage in the 72nd minute before Vahan Bichakhchyan converted a late penalty in the 88th minute to set the final score.

Head coach Egishe Melikyan used the match to test new tactics and personnel. Five players earned their first caps for Armenia: Julio Bueno, Narek Hovhannisyan, Finn Geragusian, Karlen Hovhannisyan and Artur Askaryan. The team deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Georgiy Harutyunyan and Tigran Avanesyan anchoring midfield.

Bichakhchyan stood out for the hosts operating from the right wing before moving centrally after halftime. Most attacking moves flowed through him though his efforts could not secure a positive result. Substitutes Gor Manvelyan and Artur Serobyan improved Armenia play in the second half but the side showed imbalance due to multiple debutants and the absence of key midfielders Ugochukwu Iwu and Eduard Spertsyan.

Finn Geragusian nearly made an immediate impact after coming on midway through the second half but his effort from a Nair Tiknizyan cross sailed just over the bar. Despite promising spells Melikyan acknowledged his team needs sharper finishing. We are on the right path but we lacked precision against Belarus the coach stated after the match.