Armenian National Football team coach Varujhan Sukiasyan and star football player Henrikh Mkhitaryan
GLENDALE—Upon their arrival to Los Angeles for a friendly soccer match, the Armenian National Football team was invited to a press conference at Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale on May 25. Journalists interviewed the Armenian National Football team coach Varujhan Sukiasyan and star football player Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Sukiasyan and Mkhitaryan thanked the organizers of the friendly match and expressed hope that the stadium will have a full audience.
The Armenian National Football team will have a friendly match with Guatemala in Los Angeles, California on May 28. When asked how they feel about competing with Guatemala’s team, Mkhitaryan said “We know that they are a strong team. It will be a great experience for us to play with Latin-American teams. This is very important practice for us, and we will try to do our best during the games.”
Mkhitaryan said that his call to Armenians in Los Angeles is to send the money raised during the May 28 game to foundations for Armenian children with various diseases. “I am sure that the football fans will come watch the game, and we will try our best for them to enjoy it.”
When asked if Mkhitaryan would play on the Los Angeles’ soccer team, he said “Maybe one day…I am sure that I will feel the support of Armenians in the stadium.”
For now, however, he is “completely focused on the Armenian Team.”
According to Mkhitarian, it would be difficult to compete in the World Cup Finals because their team newly formed. “However, we must try to move forward step by step,” he said.
Mkhitaryan with fans
His advice to young athletes pursuing a professional career in soccer is that “If you are trying to do something, you should do your best. Everyone should work hard to achieve success.”
Source: Asbarez
Link: Mkhitaryan ‘Focused on Armenian National Team’