We will try to return to Baku as group leaders

The Azerbaijani national futsal team under 19 will face Kosovo on January 25 and San Marino the next day as part of the preliminary stage of Euro 2025. Sport24.az reports that the head coach of the national team Ilgar Aslanov gave a statement to the Azerbaijan Futsal Federation regarding the preparation:

"The team has been in training camp since January 10. Our training continues according to plan. We train twice a day. We perform exercises in both physical and tactical terms. We give more loads during training with the ball. The children are enthusiastic, they try to execute what we say. Of course, there are many shortcomings and things to do. Although it is not possible to eliminate all of them in one training camp, we are trying to fix a certain part. We will play a cup game on Saturday. We are trying to hold another match before the trip. And let this game be the day after the cup match. Because we will play 2 games in 2 days in San Marino".

The head coach also evaluated the opponent in the preliminary stage of Euro 2025: "We have not seen the game of the Kosovo national team, but we have information, even if orally. They are physically strong opponents, they play well with the ball. We have watched several games of San Marino. They participated in an international tournament last week. We have some information. True, they lost in all 3 games, but this does not mean that they are a weak opponent. In general, today there is no concept of a weak team or opponent in futsal. Moreover, San Marino will play at home. They have set the schedule so that they will rest for one day after the first game. But Kosovo and we will play 2 games in 2 consecutive days. The day we arrive there will be a game between San Marino and Kosovo. We are thinking of watching this meeting live".

The experienced expert also said that the team was tasked with achieving good results: "We are also preparing well. We must minimize our mistakes before the games. The team is tasked with playing well and achieving results. We will try to return to Baku as group leaders. Because only the group leader will qualify for the next stage".