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Former defender of the Azerbaijan national team, Sasha Yunisoglu, gave an interview to Sportal.az.
- The Azerbaijan national team will face Iceland. What do you think, can the Azerbaijan national team hope for a successful result in this match?
- Of course, as always, we want a good game and result. Despite the fact that Iceland is not one of the strongest in Europe. Looking at other rivals in our group, I would say that they are the most suitable opponent for our national team and it is possible to play for a result with them. But unfortunately, the recent games of our national team do not give us much hope. I think our national team is facing a very difficult test.
- A more frequently discussed topic is that local footballers are not given much of a chance after the abolition of the legionnaire limit. Could this moment affect the results of the national team?
- If our national team's football players do not play in the main squad in their clubs, this will have a very big impact on the national team. But no one can promise them that they will always be in the squad. Local players must earn their places themselves. They must trust themselves, work harder, develop and be better than foreign players. Frankly, I like the abolition of the legionnaire limit. This should be a great motivation for locals to develop. If you are strong, you will play.
- Do you think this cycle may be the last test and chance for Fernando Santos, or should we continue to trust him in any case? I guess Santos should already give results in the national team?
- In any case, a goal is set for the head coach. If the goal cannot be achieved, changes must be made. Santos is a good coach. No matter how much we trust him, of course the management will decide. Our national team has not yet reached the level where coaches like Santos can train it. It would be better if a local coach worked in our national team during this period.
- Santos's player selections for the national team have also been discussed every time, especially this time. He did not invite Mehdi Jannatov, who played more among the locals this season, and did not send an invitation to Rufat Abdullazadeh, who plays in the Croatian league. Do you think the selections were fair?
- It is difficult to give an assessment from the outside regarding this issue. We think that these two football players should have been invited to the national team. But it may be that Rufat and Mehdi were not called for some reason. But overall, we can say that the best ones have been invited. Santos cannot be blamed either, the choice is not so wide. This is what we have.
- How many points can the national team score from two matches in total with Iceland and Ukraine, and how many points would be satisfactory?
- If we say six points from two matches, it will be like some kind of miracle. And four points does not seem convincing. If we take three points from these games, it can be considered a good result. But the reality shows that we should be happy with 1-2 points as well.
- Presumably, the three points that our national team will get in Reykjavik will tell about the chances and claims of our national team in this group?
- I don't like to make predictions. The victory that our national team can achieve will also increase our claim and hope. At the same time, it will make our next job much more difficult. Because the victory we will win in Reykjavik will be a signal to other rivals that they will face our national team with twice the motivation in the next games.
- Can "Qarabag"'s reaching the main stage in the Champions League give a boost, motivation or confidence to the national team and other football players?
- "Qarabag"'s qualification for the main stage in the Champions League gives great hope and motivation not only to football players, but to all Azerbaijani football fans. "Qarabag" has brought new light and color to our extinguished football. Let's hope that this good mood will have a good effect on the game of our national team and our national team will make us happy in the next two games. I wish you success.
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