Idman.biz
"We knew in advance that the game would be difficult. Matches against I League teams are usually intense and competitive. We played a bit passively in the first half. We wanted to give opportunities to young players and those who don't get much chance in this match, it's not easy for them to adapt to this pace.
The changes we made in the second half affected the game, but the opponent worked very well in defense. We had also analyzed their recent performances. Our main goal is to advance step by step in the cup. We are currently facing a tough schedule. We had a difficult match with "Sumgayit", and in a few days we will go to Yevlakh. The 1/4 final stage falls next year, and we will have enough time to prepare until then."
Idman.Biz reports that Aykhan Abbasov, the head coach of "Shamakhi", said this at a press conference after the 1/8 final match of the Bizon Azerbaijan Cup, where they advanced to the next round by defeating "Baku Sporting" with a score of 1:0.
Later, the head coach answered journalists' questions:
- You watched the game very calmly. It was as if you were sure of the victory...
- No, we weren't sure. It was necessary to break the defense. We don't have many such games. I don't remember any of our opponents defending throughout the game in the championship. We gave the children a little freedom. Anything could have happened in this game.
- Was there a player in the opponent's squad that caught your attention?
- I know the players who play in the U-21 national team in the I League. I even wanted to invite some of them to the national team.
- You said that it is right for local football players to move to clubs where they can play more. Yesterday, Kurban Berdyev, while talking about this issue, said that Aykhan Abbasov's views do not bother me. What can you say about this?
- Yesterday I decided that I will not talk about this. I respect everyone's opinion. We can't tell anyone to play someone. But there is one thing, we are Azerbaijanis. Today, there are Azerbaijani coaches in the Premier League who think about the nation like that in the club. This must come from within. If we say something, we say it for the sake of the nation. We must all respect the nation.
- Would you like your opponent in the next stage to be "Qarabagh" or "Karvan-Yevlakh"?
- I would like "Karvan-Yevlakh".
