SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017) – Armenia U-19 Head Coach Artak Oseyan has called in Real Salt Lake Academy MF Diran Bebekian to take part in a five-day training camp ahead of two friendly matches against Belarus on Nov. 7 and 9 in Armenia. Bebekian is set to depart for his first international call-up on Wednesday ahead of training camp beginning on Nov. 5. The camp is used as a way to identify and train players to develop the Armenian U-20 roster.
“For me getting called in to represent my country is a great honor,” Bebekian said. “I have always dreamt of getting a chance to represent my country and now it’s a dream come true. I don’t want to take it for granted now and I want to perform.”
A native of Palm Desert, California, Bebekian has scored three goals for the RSL U-19s this season having appeared in all six U.S. Soccer Development Academy Regular Season matches for the club. Bebekian has made one start this season, playing the full 90 minutes in the club’s 8-0 victory over San Diego Surf last weekend. Bebekian came to the RSL Academy in 2015 and has since played in 34 matches for the Academy with six goals in 17 starts.
Academy Technical Director Martin Vasquez spoke highly of Bebekian and his upcoming opportunity with representing himself at the international level.
“We are very proud of him. This is a big opportunity to get himself on the radar of the U-20 Armenian side and test himself against European competition,” Vasquez said. “We’ve always had a diverse group in sending players to international teams. Chile, Mexico, U.S. and now Armenia, it says a lot of how driven these boys are.”
Bebekian has helped the U-19 squad to an impressive 5-1-0 record in 2017 including a current run that has seen the Claret-and-Cobalt win five consecutive matches, outscoring opponents 33-1 with four shutouts in the five-game win streak.
“Right now I’m playing well and having fun. Whether I start or come off the bench I want to contribute and help my team win,” Bebekian said. “Martin has been a big part of that and he challenges me to be a better player and a better person so I can have these opportunities.”
With no matches the next two weekends, both the U-17 and U-19 Academy sides now prepare for back-to-back games in Southern California the weekend of Nov. 18-19, first facing Real So. Cal on Sat., Nov. 18 before a Sun., Nov. 19 matchup with Arsenal FC. Both U-17 matches will kick off at 11:00a MT with the U-19s following shortly after at 1:30p and 1:00p MT on Nov. 18 and 19, respectively.
