Sport24.az
"Shamakhi" advanced to the next round of the Bizon Azerbaijan Cup 1/8 finals by defeating "Baku Sporting" 1:0.
Sport24.az reports that Aykhan Abbasov, the head coach of the Premier League representative, answered journalists' questions at the press conference held after the match:
- We knew the game would be difficult. Matches with the I League teams are always competitive. We were a bit passive in the first half. We wanted to see the young players, the players who don't play much. It is difficult for them to enter such a fast-paced game. We made changes in the second half. The opponent defended well. We watched their last matches. The main goal is to advance in the cup. We are on a tight schedule. We had a difficult game with "Sumgayit". We will go to Yevlakh in a few days. The 1/4 final stage will be next year. We will have time to prepare.
- 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 through 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 had given the children a little freedom. Anything could have happened in this game.
- Was there a player on the opponent's team that caught your attention?
- I know the players who play in the I League in the U-21 national team. 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 Berdiyev, while talking about this issue, said that Aykhan Abbasov's thoughts do not bother me. What can you say about this?
- I decided yesterday that I would not talk about this. I respect everyone's opinion. We can't tell anyone to play someone. But one thing is that we are Azerbaijanis. Today, there are Azerbaijani coaches in the Premier League who think about the national team in the club. This must come from within. If we say something, we say it for the sake of the national team. We must all respect the national team.
- Would you prefer your next opponent to be "Qarabag" or "Karvan-Yevlakh"?
- I would prefer "Karvan-Yevlakh".
