A tough campaign for Ararat Yerevan finished on a positive note, with the team avoiding bottom place and securing its Premier League status on sporting merit.

PORTUGUESE BOOST OF NEW ENERGY

After the autumn phase of the season, when the team played a number of strong matches but failed to collect points for various reasons, it became clear that a new spark was needed. That spark was provided by Portuguese specialist Ricardo Dionísio, appointed in January. With just six weeks to prepare for the second half of the season, the Portuguese coach reshaped and presented the team in a new form.

10 POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON

At first, difficulties emerged. Two defeats against direct rivals, Gandzasar, pushed the team further away from its goal of avoiding bottom place. However, Ararat later managed to stabilise its performances, add ten points to its tally, and climb off the bottom of the table.

Victories over Van in Charentsavan and Shirak in Gyumri boosted the team’s points haul, while the highlight of the spring phase of the season was a memorable win over Pyunik. Kalifala Doumbia’s stoppage-time goal was a true masterpiece.

In the final round, the team needed just one point to avoid finishing bottom, and Ararat secured it in the match against BKMA.

SUPER-EFFECTIVE DOUMBIA

However, that goal was not the only one for Doumbia. The 21-year-old Malian striker Kalifa Mamadou Dumbia scored nine goals in the spring part of the season, and with a total of 10 goals finished fourth in the league’s top scorers’ chart.

TIME TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS AND PREPARE FOR THE NEW SEASON

After the final match of the championship, Ararat went on break. The players will spend the next month with their families and return for the new season refreshed and full of energy.

There is still time until August to make adjustments, strengthen the squad, and prepare the team for the upcoming campaign in a more competitive shape.