Soccer

Joaquin Caparros confident Armenia will put ‘heart and soul’ into Scotland clash

Manager said he was not surprised to see Ireland win 3-0 in Dublin

Joaquin Caparros, Armenia manager, looks on during game against Ukraine. Photograph: Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty
Joaquin Caparros, Armenia manager, looks on during game against Ukraine. Photograph: Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty
Mon Jun 13 2022 - 18:33

Armenia head coach Joaquin Caparros was not surprised to see Scotland lose 3-0 in Dublin as he vowed his team would put their “heart and soul” into emulating their victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Scotland and Ireland went into Saturday’s Uefa Nations League meeting in contrasting form after Steve Clarke’s side comfortably beat an Armenia team who had shocked Stephen Kenny’s men days earlier.

But the Irish swept to their first ever Nations League win to leave Scotland feeing the pressure ahead of Tuesday night’s game in Yerevan.

Caparros said: “I don’t think there are any surprises in football. Each team can beat the other team and our group is very strong with very strong teams. And also, playing at home was very important for Ireland.”

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Armenia struggled to get going as an attacking force at Hampden last week, while Scotland should have made a lot more from their 27 attempts at goal and 68 per cent possession during their 2-0 win.

Caparros said: “We know Scotland are a very good team and very well prepared mentally and physically.

“But we will do our best to play with out heart and soul and use all of our knowledge to make our people happy.”

The Spaniard remained coy over whether his side would show more ambition at home than they did in Glasgow.

“It’s very difficult to plan how you will play,” he said. “The game itself will dictate whether we play attacking or defensive football. You will find out during the game.”