Report.az
It is incorrect to call the matches between "Qarabagh" and "Sabah" in the semi-final stage of the Azerbaijan Cup an "early final".
This was stated by Jahangir Hasanzadeh, Technical Director of AFFA, in an interview with "Report".
"This game is being presented as an early final, but I don't think that's correct. It's just a semi-final. Because the winner of the pair is not yet considered to have won the title, there is a final consisting of one game ahead. Currently, the main fight in the Azerbaijan championship is between these two teams. Recent games between them show that "Sabah" is performing very well against "Qarabagh". "Qarabagh" will try to change this trend".
He touched upon the tense struggle in the 1/4 final stage:
"The games were quite tense. Although a team like "Gabala" played to maintain its place in the league, it showed a very quality game in the cup, despite being in the minority, and returned from the threshold of the semi-finals. "Turan Tovuz", on the other hand, made a more confident and dynamic impression in the match with "Kapaz". It was clear that "Zira" found the "right keys" against "Sumgayit". "Qarabagh"'s passage to the stage was expected, because a club playing at the European level is able to mobilize and achieve results where necessary", the expert emphasized.
C.Hasanzadeh noted the surprise moment in the composition of the semi-finalists:
"It is natural for the strong to reach this stage and justify their places in the tournament table. However, the absence of "Neftchi" in this list was unexpected. Although "Neftchi" did not start the season well, it should have been in a stage worthy of its name. I hope they will take their rightful place in the next season".
He emphasized that the teams will pursue both championship and cup goals in parallel:
"I don't think that any team will be faced with a choice and "sacrifice" a tournament. "Sabah"'s 7-point lead in the championship will not negatively affect the cup game. "Qarabagh" also has a large enough squad and is strong enough to fight to the end on both "fronts". Both teams are well-tuned and will play for the result".
It should be noted that in the semi-final stage of the Azerbaijan Cup, "Turan Tovuz" will face "Zira", and "Qarabagh" will face "Sabah".
