Interview with Mehdi Jannatov, goalkeeper of "Sumgayit" team, for Sportnet.az
- You drew after two victories. How would you comment on the game?
- In principle, it was a tough game. Both teams had good chances to score. I think a draw is a fair result. We left the field with a "peace". We will continue to work and prepare for the next game.
- Your team is the leader with 7 points after 3 rounds in the championship, and you conceded the first goal today. But you were not invited to the Azerbaijani national team for the World Cup qualifying group games against Iceland and Ukraine. How did you react to the decision of head coach Fernando Santos?
- I was preparing for our game as usual and was not thinking about the national team. First of all, all my thoughts were on the game against "Shamakhi". The head coach of the national team commented on his decision. I have nothing to add. In this situation, I can only wish my compatriots success in the upcoming games and to make us happy.
- Santos announced that you have a problem with your passport. Do you really have such a problem?
- Frankly, it's hard for me to comment on this. Therefore, I refrain from commenting. It is best to learn about the situation.
- So, the head coach of the national team did not give the correct explanation...
- I do not know. I cannot comment on this.
- Do you have a problem with your documents?
- I have not heard about it.
- Don't you think that the list of those called up to the national team was prepared before the Premier League started?
- The head coach decides who will be in the national team. He follows the championship and probably sees and knows who needs to be called up, who will be useful. Therefore, I can only wish the national team success.
- AFFA commented on the issue by saying that your name was not on the initial list, and when they wanted to call you up later, there was no time to get a visa. In general, has the national association contacted you?
- My passport is with AFFA. I do not know the rest of the issues. It is possible that they really could not make it. I can't find out. Therefore, I have no comment.
- Has your foreign passport expired?
- Probably not (laughs - ed.).
- Among the goalkeepers called up to the national team, Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev has little game practice, while Aydin Bayramov and Rza Jafarov do not play in their clubs. What can you hope for with such a goalkeeper squad?
- I think all three deserve to play for the Azerbaijani national team.
- But Santos said that he would not call players who do not have game practice to the national team...
- It's hard for me to comment on this. He knows and sees better. His assistants help him in this sense. Those called up to the national team will be able to play without problems.
- How can the national break affect "Sumgayit"?
- I hope that the effect will be for the better. Because the whole team will be at the training camp. We will train enough together and prepare for the next game against "Imishli" away. I think it should be beneficial for us.
Idman.biz