Shirak II stun Bentonit Ijevan with emphatic 4-1 rout, reshaping the landscape at the bottom

In a result that may well recast the narratives near the foot of the Armenian First League table, Shirak II delivered a commanding 4-1 away victory over Bentonit Ijevan on Monday. The win, only Shirak II's second of the campaign, not only punctuated a spell of misery for the visitors, but also amplified Bentonit Ijevan’s struggles to convert their momentum into meaningful progress. The outcome shifted the balance for two teams desperate to emerge from the league’s shadow zone.

Key moments: Shirak II seize control, Bentonit Ijevan unravel

The match, played at an undisclosed venue, began with a cautious rhythm as Bentonit Ijevan sought to build off their recent away draw. However, the early containment unraveled in the opening half-hour, when Shirak II struck decisively. A sharp counterattack found its way into the Bentonit box, culminating in a clinical finish that gave the visitors a lead they would never relinquish.

Before Bentonit Ijevan could compose themselves, Shirak II doubled their advantage. A defensive lapse allowed a second Shirak II scorer in rapid succession, plunging the hosts into a two-goal deficit. Bentonit Ijevan responded with urgency, managing to claw one back before halftime, offering a glimmer of hope as the teams headed for the tunnel. Yet any aspirations of a comeback evaporated soon after the restart.

Shirak II, capitalizing on a period of Bentonit Ijevan pressure, found the net for the third time midway through the second half, breaking the hosts' resolve. The visitors capped the performance with a fourth, sealing their most convincing win of the season. The final whistle left Bentonit Ijevan to reflect on a match that had slipped away during crucial defensive lapses and missed chances in front of goal.

Context: A clash of strivers at the bottom rung

The meeting took on added importance as both sides languished in the league's lower reaches. Bentonit Ijevan, coming in on 7 points from 10 matches (2 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses), occupied 12th place, a modest buffer over the bottom pack. Their form had been patchy: a draw away to Banants II in their previous outing offered optimism, which was undermined by a dispiriting loss to Ararat-Armenia II days prior. Their last victory, a 2-0 home triumph over Van II on September 23, seemed a distant memory after heavy defeats to Mika and Syunik.

Shirak II, rooted in 16th—last place—with just 5 points from 10 (1 win, 2 draws, 7 losses), had struggled mightily to find their footing. The team entered the day having conceded 26 goals in their past five matches, including lopsided losses to Syunik (0-5), Ararat II (1-3), and a staggering 2-8 defeat at Andranik. A draw against Ararat-Armenia II on September 11 was their lone brief reprieve. Their defensive record—an average of over three goals conceded per game—rendered their prospects grim.

Head-to-head: A rare reversal of fortune

Previous encounters between Bentonit Ijevan and Shirak II had rarely provided fireworks, with recent meetings tending toward low-scoring affairs or narrow margins. For Shirak II, Monday's rout marked a clear departure from the norm, as their attack—often stifled, frequently overwhelmed—at last found incisiveness and purpose.

What it means for the standings

With three points secured away from home, Shirak II leapfrogs the bottom spot, climbing to eight points and drawing level with Bentonit Ijevan, who remain on seven. The result narrows the gap at the league’s basement, transforming the relegation battle into a crowded contest. For Bentonit Ijevan, a campaign that once promised stability now flirts with the specter of further decline. Their record, marked by seven losses in ten, now mirrors that of the team they once held at arm’s length.

Turning points and tactical notes

Key tactical errors haunted Bentonit Ijevan: the inability to track Shirak II’s runners into the box, coupled with a midfield that failed to disrupt quick transitions. Shirak II, by contrast, approached the contest with renewed defensive discipline and directness in attack. Their second goal epitomized this ethos—with a quick turnover and a two-pass sequence ending in a composed finish.

There were no red cards, though the match saw several cautions, most notably in the frenetic closing stages as Bentonit Ijevan’s frustration boiled over. The hosts’ lone goal, an opportunistic strike after a set piece scramble, provided only momentary respite as Shirak II’s pressure remained relentless.

What's at stake going forward

As the season nears its midpoint, both teams face a crossroads. For Shirak II, the win is more than a statistical anomaly—it’s a psychological lifeline, a blueprint for how to play with greater cohesion. Momentum may finally be within reach, but defensive frailties linger.

Bentonit Ijevan, meanwhile, confronts an urgent need for answers. The defensive lapses that cost them dearly today must be studied and remedied if they are to reverse a spiraling trend. With their buffer over the drop zone now erased, each fixture assumes greater meaning, and the margin for error narrows.

In the unforgiving theater of the First League, survival is seldom granted—it must be earned. Monday’s result is a stark reminder that for Bentonit Ijevan and Shirak II, every match is a test, and every point a precious commodity.