Sport24.az
Interview of "Zira" captain Qismat Aliyev to Sport24.az
- In the XVIII round of the Misli Premier League, you lost 1:3 at home to "Sabah". What was the reason for the defeat?
- We prepared very well for this opponent. We knew that we would play with the leader of the championship. The match was very important for both us and "Sabah". We also went to the field with desire. Maybe we didn't concede goals from the things we analyzed in advance. As soon as we started, we conceded two goals that we didn't want and didn't expect. There is nothing to say. We will forget this game. We have cup and championship matches ahead of us.
- You also lost to "Sabah" in the first match. What is the reason you can't play head-to-head with this opponent?
- I wouldn't say head-to-head. We also had good scoring opportunities at 0:2 and 0:3. Unfortunately, we couldn't use them. And at unexpected moments, such players scored goals... Maybe if attacking players had scored, it would have been different. There is not much to say. I'll just say that we prepared for "Sabah" in the same way as we prepare for other teams. We have one more game left with them. We will work on the mistakes and try to win the 3rd match.
- Your next match is against "Sumgayit" in the cup, and then in the championship. They are also contenders for European cups. What are your expectations from these matches?
- First we will play in the cup. Both the cup match and the league match are important for us. The cup increases the chance to go to the European League. Both will be good games. "Sumgayit" is also one of the teams playing for European cups, they have good players in their squad. They also won a good victory in the last match. We will forget the defeat to "Sabah" and prepare for the cup match with "Sumgayit" first. We will focus on that match.
- Many teams are claiming for European cups through the championship. Do you think it is easier from the cup or from the league?
- In my opinion, championship matches are important first of all. You can go to European cups after taking a place in the league. Maybe such a thing had not happened in any team in the cup. We started the fight with "Neftchi", then there will be two games against "Sumgayit"... If we pass "Sumgayit", the winner of the "Turan Tovuz" - "Kapaz" pair will fall. We cannot say for any game that the opponent is easy, it will be easy in the cup against this team. All of them will be difficult, heavy meetings. We need to prepare.
- You were injured at the end of the match with "Sabah". How are you?
- It was my previous injury, there was a sprain on it. I'm normal now. Doctors will monitor. We will prepare for the next game. I hope everything will be fine and we will achieve successful results in the next matches.
