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Interview of Samir Aliyev, former head coach of the Azerbaijan national team U-21, to AZERTAC
- The Azerbaijan national team drew 1:1 with Ukraine in the II round of the qualifying stage of the 2026 World Cup. What are your thoughts on the game?
- The players' fight for every inch of the field ultimately earned the Azerbaijan national team 1 point. The guys performed diligently. I congratulate the team.
- Many claimed that the players of the Azerbaijan national team did not play in the national spirit under the leadership of Fernando Santos. What is your attitude to this?
- After the resignation of Fernando Santos, the decision of the AFFA leadership to entrust Aykhan Abbasov with the difficult game of the national team with Ukraine in a short time was one of the most correct decisions in recent years. The latest results of the national team, especially the big defeat against Iceland without a fight, showed how necessary this decision was. You can lose in football, but not without a fight. Aykhan Abbasov's invitation of Rustam Ahmadzade and Abdulla Khaybullayev to the national team and trusting them in the main squad was a great motivation for those players.
- What step should AFFA take next regarding the head coach issue?
- Yesterday's game showed that the team should be entrusted to a local coach with these players.
- How many points do you expect the team to score in the next games of the qualifying stage?
- Everyone knows that we are in a difficult group. But yesterday's game showed that if we fight with this desire and motivation, it is possible to win a point or points in the home game against Iceland. More difficult matches await on the road against France and Ukraine. Especially Ukraine will enter the return match with a completely different motivation after yesterday's draw.
- The U-21 national team, where you used to work, drew with Bulgaria (1:1) at home within the qualifying round of the European Championship. How do you see the future prospects of the team?
- Yesterday, our U-21 team also scored its first goal and first point at home. There are difficult games ahead, but I hope that this qualifying round will be successful for the national team. Most importantly, new players will be attracted to the A national team. We have several players in U-21 with prospects and a future.
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