Dutch talent Ozbiliz decides to play for Armenia

Former Dutch youth international Aras Ozbiliz will play for the national team of Armenia in the future. The 21-year-old Ajax forward arrived in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Tuesday and was presented as newly Armenian international on Wednesday. Ozbiliz was born in Bakirkoy in Turkey, has Armenian roots, but was raised in the Netherlands. He received an Armenian passport when he arrived in Yerevan. He neglected the advice of his Ajax coach Frank de Boer. "It was a difficult decision for me because my coach advised me to wait," Ozbiliz explained his choice. "De Boer was convinced that within two to three years I might become a player of the Dutch national team. Holland might be a good choice in sporting terms but my heart beats for Armenia. That's why I made this choice." Armenia still has a chance of qualifying for the 2012 European Championships. Ozbiliz is currently suffering from an ankle injury and will miss the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Macedonia and Ireland. Due to injuries Ozbiliz did not play an official match for Ajax this season. Last season he scored one goal in fourteen league matches.