Idman.biz
The Azerbaijan national team is nearing the finish line of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In the first of two home games held near the end of the qualifying round, the team lost 0:2 to Iceland. Two days later, the team will face France. It should be noted that this match will not be of any importance to the French in terms of the tournament, as they are six points ahead of their closest followers.
Idman.Biz notes that there were certain hopes for our national team before the game against Iceland.
Because after the 0:5 defeat in Reykjavik at the beginning of the qualifying round, Fernandu Santos was "sentenced", and then Aykhan Abbasov was appointed head coach. Until the return match with the island representatives, the team did not make a bad impression in the meetings with Ukraine and France. Therefore, there were expectations that the team would perform better than in the first game. However, these expectations were only partially met.
The national team usually cannot show its game against rivals who play physical football. There are also tactical limitations: the game rhythm is not established during the match, there are difficulties in the transition from defense to attack, gaps in positional combat and the inability to play under pressure.
The Icelanders offered just such football in the first half in Baku and felt quite comfortable. Therefore, both goals scored were the result of gross mistakes in defense, and the guests made the most of the opportunities they had. The second goal of the northerners was a clear example of this - Sverrir Ingason headed in a cross from the flank.
After the break, our national team revived a lot, increased its mobility and started attacking more, but this did not have the expected effect. There were episodes - an example of this is Anatoli Nuriyev's shot into an empty goal that went wide of the goal frame. True, a few minutes after that episode, the Icelanders were also close to the third goal: Jon Dague Thorsteinsson shot from close range, but Aydin Bayramov managed to ward off the danger. In general, the goalkeeper saved the team several times during the match.
The defeat to Iceland showed that in some cases our players lack elementary composure. The team creates episodes, but cannot evaluate them, and in such games, such moments are one of the main differences affecting the result. The team is waiting for serious and continuous work in many directions. Aykhan Abbasov believes that development is possible.
"There is no need to be disappointed. The team continues to rejuvenate. The first goal is to return to Division C of the UEFA Nations League. We look at the games that have been played with this prism. We must be fully prepared. This is the work of the future. It is too early to talk about great results yet, but it is important to work," the head coach said at a press conference.
The final match of the qualifying round against France is ahead. It is highly likely that there will be a full house at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium and there will be special interest in the match. Although the balance of power is clear, the game may have a positive aesthetic impact on the fans.
Zaki Feyzullayev
