The players had already started complaining when they entered the locker room;

After the semi-final match of the Azerbaijan Cup between "Sabah" and "Neftchi" (1:1), the head coach of the visiting team, Samir Abasov, answered journalists' questions. Sport24.az reports that the specialist first expressed his views on the match... 

- I thank our fans. We felt their support. All responsibility for the cup is mine. We apologize to the fans. We came in a difficult period and could not take advantage of the winter break. We couldn't make the transfers we wanted. As a head coach, I think that the responsibility for the cup is mine. We apologize.

- It is surprising that 70-80 percent of the players are in "Neftchi". If you saw former Sports Director Jens Andersson, would you like to say something to him?

- I don't want to talk about any person. There are moments that I am extremely upset about today. We were well prepared for the game. The first half was perhaps our best game. We could not capitalize on 100% episodes. The goal we conceded was also due to our own mistake. Maybe it would have been different if we had started the game with a goal. The kids did very well in the first half. Unfortunately, we couldn't continue until the end. There are many players with individual skills in the opponent's squad. They were superior to us in this component. They became even more superior after their substitutions. The players had already started complaining when they entered the locker room. Emin Mahmudov was like a leader on the field, but he was also tired. Many players wanted to be substituted. Our substitutions did not help. The opponent made a difference when they brought attacking players onto the field. We are drawing up plans. Decisions will be made by the management and us. We want to start the new season better. We need to bring players worthy of "Neftchi".

- Would it be different now if your striker Bassalu Sambu hadn't received a red card in the "Neftchi" - "Kapaz" game?

- It is impossible to talk about this. Sambu was scoring goals and giving us hope. We wanted his punishment to be reduced, but they didn't. If Sambu is not here, why don't other strikers play like him? At least there are Demo Darbo, Ramil Sheydayev, young Agadadash. I don't know what will happen.

- Darbo and Aleks were in the starting lineup in the game against "Qarabag". But today they remained in reserve. What was the reason for this?

- Nothing has changed. Agadadash was injured in the game against "Qarabag". Darbo did not spend the winter training camp with us, then he went through a recovery period.

- Don't you think you made the substitutions late?

- The fact that the players in the squad did not keep the pace at the beginning of the match until the end is due to the physical condition. If they continued like this, there would be no need for changes. Not everything goes as we want. Emin Mahmudov lost the ball in 2-3 episodes at the end, this was due to fatigue. Mustafa Sek, Shtogrin wanted to be substituted. Those who entered the game later did not give an effect either.

- "Neftchi" looks like an old people's home today. Is taking responsibility on yourself related to protecting the players?

- I didn't bring the players. But the fans were hoping for me, but I couldn't. I apologize for this.

- By what percentage should the team change next season?

- Every coach has players according to his own style. There are things that we will give priority to when we take a specific player. You will decide for yourself what percentage will leave and what percentage will come. Changes are needed.

- The contract terms and salaries of most foreign players are high. Could this be a problem?

- It is difficult to answer this. We are talking about everything in detail. We will try to do our best for the club and the team. I hope we can solve the problems. Not only us, but other teams have also had problems with players. Time will tell what will happen.

Nuh Tarverdiyev