Ayxan Huseynov: "It was the first time in the national team's history that there was a penalty shootout and we won"

"The game was difficult. The opponent's players are very strong physically. Receiving my first call-up to the national team is a new step for my career."

These words were said by Azerbaijani national team footballer Aykhan Huseynov.

The midfielder shared his thoughts on the match in the "FIFA Series - 2026" international tournament where they won against the Sierra Leone team in a penalty shootout.

"The eight days I was in the training camp went well. I got to know the players who were my opponents in the championship closely. Overall, being in the national team and experiencing that atmosphere is very pleasant. I will try to get an invitation to the next training camps as well. I didn't know that if there was a draw, the match would go to penalties. Thanks to our goalkeeper Aydin Bayramov, he saved the penalty (laughs). It was the first time in the national team's history that there was a penalty shootout and we won. Aykhan Abbasov told us in the dressing room that we have to move up from League D to League C in the Nations League. Our team has high potential. I believe that by continuing these victories, we will move forward even further," he said in his statement to sport24.az.

It should be noted that the main time of the final match ended with a score of 1:1, and our team played more accurately in the penalty shootout (9:8).