Aberdeen Faces Noah in UEFA Conference League Clash
UEFA Conference League: Aberdeen vs. Noah
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Thursday, 27 November Time: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Available on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport app and website.
Aberdeen's upcoming match against Noah in the Conference League is particularly significant, as Jimmy Thelin's team will need a stroke of luck to advance to the knockout stages. After securing their first point in Larnaca, the Scottish Cup holders are facing a challenging path following a heavy 6-0 loss to AEK Athens. With the worst goal difference in the 36-team league, they must overcome Noah to improve their chances.
Who are Noah?
Noah, established in 2017, has experienced a tumultuous journey in its short history, including multiple name changes, relocations, and ownership transitions. Currently based in Abovyan, just north of Yerevan, they are led by businessman Vardges Vardanyan, whose investments since 2023 have spurred the club's development. Last season, Noah clinched their first league title and the Armenian Cup, and they made headlines by reaching the league phase of the Conference League after starting from the first qualifying round, even eliminating AEK Athens along the way. Although they suffered an 8-0 defeat to Chelsea, they managed to earn four points in the competition. Vardanyan aims to establish a club with a unique identity on the European football stage, with plans for a new 20,000-seater stadium and a youth academy, drawing on insights from advisors like Luis Figo.
How good are Noah?
After setbacks in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, Noah secured a spot in UEFA's third-tier competition with a strong 7-3 aggregate victory over Slovenian champions Olimpija Ljubljana. They have performed commendably in the Conference League, earning four points from their matches: a 1-0 victory against Croatia's Rijeka, a 1-1 draw with Romania's Universitatea Craiova, and a narrow 2-1 loss to Czech side Sigma Olomouc. Their squad is technically proficient, having scored in ten of their eleven European matches this season. The team features a mix of domestic and foreign talent, with Brazilian forward Matheus Aias and Portuguese winger Helder Ferreira contributing significantly, netting 11 goals between them this season. However, despite their strengths, Noah has struggled away from home, winning only twice this season and suffering a downturn in form, currently sitting fifth in the Armenian Premier League. In contrast, Aberdeen is in good form, remaining unbeaten in their last four games, and will look to leverage their home advantage as they begin their quest for European knockout football.
As the Old Testament recounts, Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, which towers over the Yerevan skyline just across the border in Turkey. This historical connection led to the club's name change from Artsakh to Noah FC in 2019. Aberdeen's pursuit of European success begins now.