Perković's Noah Twice Led but Missed Out on Victory in UECL
The Armenian club with a Croatian coach and player drew 2:2 against Sion in the first leg of the Conference League third qualifying round.
The Armenian club with a Croatian coach and player drew 2:2 against Sion in the first leg of the Conference League third qualifying round.
Noah's footballers, led by Croatian coach Sandro Perković, drew 2:2 against Swiss side Sion in the first leg of the Conference League third qualifying round. The hosts took the lead twice in Abovyan but failed to hold on, leaving the tie open ahead of the return leg.
Noah took the lead as early as the 5th minute when Hélder Ferreira calmly converted a penalty. The home fans' joy was short-lived, as Winsley Boteli equalized in the 13th minute. Just seven minutes later, Armenian international Gor Manvelyan restored Perković's side's advantage.
Sion were reduced to ten men in the 26th minute. Nias Hefti, who had already been booked in the 4th minute, received a second yellow card and was sent off. However, the numerical advantage wasn't enough for a comfortable finish.
The visitors managed to equalize despite being a man down. Ilyas Chouaref scored in the 57th minute to make it 2:2, and just seven minutes later, the numbers on the pitch were level again. Noah defender Stone Mambo was sent off in the 64th minute for a foul as the last man in defense.
No further goals followed, so the tie will be decided on August 13, 2026, at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion.
Croatian player Marin Jakoliš was in Noah's starting lineup. Perković took over the Armenian club in June 2025, after leaving Dinamo, and has already made a significant impact. Last season, he won the national cup and led the team to the Conference League knockout stages.
There, Noah sensationally beat AZ Alkmaar 1:0 in the first leg, but lost 4:0 in the return and were eliminated 4:1 on aggregate. In this year's competition, they reached the third qualifying round by eliminating Moldova's Zimbru 3:2 on aggregate, while Sion were convincing against BATE Borisov (5:1 on aggregate).
