Ifeanyi Matthew: "Neftchi's" Conference League Qualification and My Important Goal Against "Sabah" - INTERVIEW

"Perhaps many people didn't believe it. But as a team, we were confident in ourselves, we believed that we could change something."

These words were said by "Neftchi" football team's midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew in an interview with futbolinfo.az after their 2:1 victory against "Sabah" in the 32nd round of the Misli Premier League.

We present that interview.

- In the 32nd round of the Misli Premier League, you defeated "Sabah" 2:1 and qualified for the qualifying stage of the Conference League...

- We went out to the game to win. Our intention was to win. We went out on the field and fought to the end. Of course, we are happy with the victory and going to the European Cups.

- You scored the winning goal and scored a fairly spectacular goal...

- I scored my most important goal in "Neftchi" in this match.

- Now you will think about the Conference League and being successful there. Will you succeed?

- Of course, we want to be successful. But we still have our last game. We will face "Kapaz" away. After that, we will go on vacation. When we return, we will resume our training and focus all our attention on the games.

- In January, no one believed that "Neftchi" would qualify for the Conference League. The team was stuck between 7th and 8th place. What happened?

- Perhaps many people didn't believe it. But as a team, we were confident in ourselves, we believed that we could change something. Our fans were also with us, they also believed that we would succeed. As a result, we managed to do it together.

- Will you stay in "Neftchi"?

- I have a contract and I will stay.

- Will it be possible to see "Neftchi" fighting for the championship next season?

- We all want it. We have a good team, good coaches. We will definitely fight for the championship next season.

- In the last rounds of this season, you both defeated "Qarabag" and were better than "Sabah"...

- It's good to beat "Sabah", of course. Because they are the champions of Azerbaijan, they are a good team. We respect all our opponents. But we are also "Neftchi". We won deservedly. We are happy to have defeated them.

- You used to be on the field more often, but in the last rounds you come on later. What is the reason for this?

- This is the decision of the coaching staff. They created conditions for me to rest. I respect the coaches' decision and I think that I enter the field when I am useful.