Idman.biz
Founded less than half a year ago, the "Zangezur" football club continues to crush its rivals in the Regional League. In the 14th round of the Regional League, the team has scored more than 130 goals - which means more than nine goals per game. Last night, the team defeated its next opponent, "Mubariz" club, with a score of 17:1. In this match, 34-year-old striker Elgun Abbasli, who scored 10 points on the "goal+assist" system (three goals, seven assists), answered the questions of Idman.Biz.
- Elgun, there are often double-digit victories in the Regional League. You score a lot of goals and do it in a very spectacular way. Do you specifically work on the aesthetic side of the goals?
- I wouldn't say that. I just always aim for the goal, no matter where I am on the field. I try to take every opportunity.
- You recently scored directly from a corner kick in the game with "Khankendi", and today you scored all three goals with long shots from outside the penalty area...
- Regardless of age, every striker should try to shoot at the first opportunity. The main thing is to do it accurately.
- Apparently, your target accuracy has not decreased at 34 years old.
- The important thing is that it continues to be so. Our goal is to become champions in the Regional League, then move up to the Second League, and then to the First League. Even the name of our club dictates that we only move forward.
- Was the name of the team a decisive factor when you moved to "Zangezur"?
- Undoubtedly. This name holds a special place in the heart of every Azerbaijani and makes us more responsible on the field. In addition, the club has big goals and I don't like to stand still. Under the leadership of Shahin Mammadov, the management creates all conditions for us to only think about football. The team has no financial problems and has great ambitions - it is an ideal environment for a football player.
- You are already 34 years old. Will there be enough time to realize these ambitions on the field?
- If I don't manage to do it as a football player, I will make every effort to achieve it as a coach (laughs). Shahin muallim has already invited me to the coaching staff from next season.
- Have you agreed?
- Right now, all my thoughts are on the championship. As a football player, I am doing everything I can for this, and what happens next is a matter of life.
- Today, football has become much "older", stars in Europe play until they are 40 years old. Why is 34 years old already considered a limit for us?
- Look at which stadiums they play in and which fields we play on. Even Gurban Gurbanov openly stated that it is impossible to play on such fields. This means constant injuries and a completely different level of medicine. I'm not even talking about the problems coming from children's football. Having gone through all this and still playing and scoring goals at 34 years old surprises even myself (laughs).
- What is the main problem of "Zangezur" right now?
- We urgently need our own stadium. We are currently playing on the reserve fields of other clubs. But thank God, the issue is being resolved - our stadium is already under construction.
- Don't all these difficulties reduce the desire to stay in sports? Have you thought about changing fields after ending your career?
- What should I replace it with? Often, after finishing their careers, football players become either barbers or taxi drivers (laughs). The most realistic choice is to become a coach - after all, we know football best.
