After successfully overcoming the four qualifying rounds to reach the opening phase of the league, the representatives of FC Noah would have scored with particular joy a match in the draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League.

A trip to Stamford Bridge to take on two-time UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea is the next step for the Armenian side on their European journey, which already includes an upset against AEK Athens in the qualifying round and a victory against Czech team Mladá Boleslav in its debut. League phase match in Yerevan.

For Noah owner Vardges Vardanyan and development director Anna Ohanyan, the game against Chelsea is just the last chance to make the most of their participation in one of Europe’s most prestigious club competitions.

As well as taking advantage of learning opportunities by playing against Conference League clubs, there is also a desire to set a new benchmark for football in Armenia.

Rising Standards in Noah

Noah’s participation in the Conference League has contributed to a spectacular rise in the club’s level.

“It has been a very interesting experience for us, as a young football club (Noah was founded in 2017), to organize matches according to UEFA standards,” Ohanyan explained.

“We not only learn from UEFA standards, but also from the smaller and larger clubs we interact with throughout our journey, who have been through all these processes before.”

Noah before his first qualifying round match against Shkëndija

Competing in UEFA competitions also offers Noah the opportunity to engage more fans with domestic football in Armenia.

“People seem to be interested in club football only if there are significant achievements, otherwise it doesn’t play a role in people’s daily lives,” Ohanyan said. “It is important to make club football part of your daily conversations. We strive to fill stadiums and make matches more interesting for the community.”

Defender Sergei Muradyan believes that the upcoming match against Chelsea could generate the necessary spark of interest in Armenian football. “Chelsea is the biggest club in the Conference League,” he said. “It will be interesting for our fans. I think everyone in Armenia will watch this match.”

Noah fans during the away match of the league phase against Rapid Wien

Planning for the future

With football in Armenia on an upward trajectory, Vardanyan is determined to take advantage of this by improving infrastructure.

“There is a lot of investment and construction planning in the club,” Vardanyan said. “We are trying to create a world-class, fully equipped, state-of-the-art training ground. In parallel, a lot of work is being done to build a 20,000-seat stadium that meets UEFA category 4 standards for stadiums.

“This would allow us to host matches of all types and all competitions. It is a big part of our dreams. We hope we can all enjoy that stadium one day.”

No matter how Noah fares against Chelsea or their other Conference League opponents this season, his European trip will leave a legacy of rising standards, increased interest in the domestic game and potential investment in football infrastructure in Armenia.