“Garabagh” defeated “Braga” with a total score (6:5) in the return match of the European League playoff stage and qualified for the 1/8 finals.
Publika.az reports that the head coach of the Agdam team, Gurban Gurbanov, answered the journalists’ questions at the press conference held after the match:
– I would like to thank my players and our great fans as well. I want to mention one thing. When I see our unity as Azerbaijanis, I am very happy. Where did this union come from? I love our people very much. I always want to see their happy day. May they always be happy. Recently, there is a strong Azerbaijani people. Every day after the 44-day war, our Commander-in-Chief always says in his speeches to be united, to be strong as a fist, to be a strong-willed nation. I used to say that after the war, I seemed to have more heart. It gives me and the club great motivation to use these words. Today, this nation had a decent team on the field. Football is such that you have to fight on the field. What we do is not even 1 percent of what the martyrs and veterans did. They have left such a legacy that we cannot replace with anything. There were fighters on the field today. We suffered so much that in the end God gave us this kind of victory. Being the head of the country, I congratulate our veterans, veterans and everyone. I could see the joy of each of you. I was proud of you too. I congratulate Mr. President, he was elected president again by his beloved people. I wanted to congratulate him after the first game. I was patient, I waited until today. I thought that I would win victory in Baku and congratulate the head of the country.
– What were you thinking when the score was 0:2? Nariman Akhundzade missed the episode in Portugal. You said that if he had scored that goal, he would not have grown up quickly. Do you think it grew in a week?
– Yes, it has grown a lot and will grow a lot. If a person is responsible, he has a great chance to grow. I saw Nariman’s condition after the episode there. He was crying. We all consoled him. He worked constantly in training. He did not go beyond the base. Today, God rewarded him. After 0:2 there was nothing to think about. In such matches, I don’t want either the opponent or ourselves to get a red card. Maybe I was too aggressive in the episodes. How correct is it to give two yellows in a minute or two? Everyone should be considered. All football players want to win, they are aggressive. It suddenly had the effect of demoralizing the team. But they all have benefits. Football is such that you have to be patient. These games are a great experience for Azerbaijani football and football players and clubs. Football is a game played until the end. You may be in the minority, but still, willpower and endurance are very important. Even if we lost, we would have much to gain. It was more delicious to win.
– You signed the firsts in Azerbaijani football. Will your goals grow?
– Anyway, we live and work with hope. If we don’t set goals, we have no value and no results. Such a victory is a great success for our football. If we get a chance in any tournament, we will make the most of it. I have always said that we can lose, we can not do what we want in some tournament, but there is no irresponsible person in this club, especially the management. However, he soon leaves this camp. Know one thing that we work responsibly, we think about Azerbaijan, “Karabakh”.
– Do you have a desired opponent?
– No. We will know tomorrow.
– Which episode was the turning point of the game?
– Turning points can be counted. I think persistence and character. After 0:2, I wanted to not concede a goal for 90 minutes. When we were preparing for extra time, I told the players that we must not back down. However, we should not think about defeat. I said that even if we lose, we should attack the opponent. The players played with confidence, did not hesitate and in the end Nariman scored a goal. The victory ended with him.
– Today, the opponent played better. Goals in extra minutes and Narima’s save… What would you say about this scenario?
– The opponent won in 90 minutes. But everything started after staying with 10 people. Until then, the game was exactly as we wanted, we had the advantage. As for Nariman, there have been such cases in world football. Some player missed a penalty or made a penalty and scored the winning goal. Football is very popular because of such situations. We must all be patient. Football is such a game that there are moments and episodes that we don’t think about. You have to believe and trust until the end.
– Don’t you think it’s time to change the situation in the national team?
– I hope it will be good. God bless him.
– Firsts are always memorable. You couldn’t hold back your tears of joy when you won the first championship and went to the CL for the first time. What success should “Garbaag” achieve to see your next tears?
– I don’t know (laughs). We will see.
– Before the game, the fans hung your poster with Allahverdi Bagirov. How did you feel at that moment?
– Let me say directly that I was very emotional. In the end, I looked away. Because Allahverdi Bagirov was irreplaceable.
– Did Nariman Akhundzade prevent the public condemnation directed at Elvin Jafarguliyev, who received a red card with his goal, and Bahlul Mustafazade, who caused the penalty?
– Do you know what I said to Elvin? I hugged and said that you are a son. We may lose, but to play with such heart against this team… If my player doesn’t shy away from Braga’s player, runs forward 50-60 meters, is not afraid to come back, if he attacks, it takes heart. Because of their suffering, responsibility and combativeness, it is not right to blame them for those episodes. I had strong players on the field today. One day Nariman hits and insures someone else’s mistake, another day another hits and insures Nariman’s mistake. There is no one in the world who does not analyze football. This leads to the love of football. I will say that Nariman took some pressure… Nariman’s arm brought joy to our people.
– What did you say to the players during the game?
– We have experience. It’s not just today’s work. After our glorious victory, I ask the players to always be brave and not shy away from anyone. There is a reason for that, I said earlier. We should not be afraid of anyone, we are the children and team of the victorious nation. I convey these thoughts to my players before every game. When I play in front of this kind of crowd, sometimes I don’t need motivation. When they came to the field, they were ready to fight until the end and give their hearts.
– Everyone applauded you when you entered the press conference. How will we congratulate you if you make it to the semi-finals and finals? “Dnepr” reached the finals after the injustice done against “Garabagh” in the game with “Inter”. Do you think justice will be served this season?
– Whether it’s a singles, semi-final or final, I’ll congratulate you. I value each of you very much. I would love to see more posts about such victories. If we lose something somewhere, if we don’t give up on it and treat it correctly, it should be repaid at some point. We just have to do our own thing. Results will follow.
– Interest in the players of “Karabakh” will increase… Will it not be difficult to keep them?
– Let him be alone. We have to grow as a club. Without such things, if we stay away from the European transfer market, we will count in our place. If they are, we will be enthusiastic, we will be able to sell and transfer some player. Of course, I would like this collective to remain. But sometimes there are reasons beyond our control. If there are such cases, we will have more work to say.
– You had offers to work abroad, but you did not stay in “Karabakh”. You draw attention to yourself. I would very much like you to be the president of AFFA. If there is an offer from outside the country, will you go?
– What can I say? It’s good, may God bless him (laughs). I am a small citizen of the country. I have always thought of serving my country and people with great responsibility. Even today, I enjoy the fact that we are under such responsibility. We are moving forward slowly, step by step. God gives the fruit of our suffering. Regarding the other things you said, duties…. God bless you.
– How should the title of the book written on the history of “Karabakh” be written?
– I am not ready for the question. You know me little by little, I don’t want to talk too much about our success. This is not a matter that depends on me and does not belong to me.
– After the match in Portugal, you gathered your players and said something. You informed me that I will reveal it in Baku. What did you say to them on the field after the match in Braga?
– It was a conversation about our work. If we scored 4 goals against the Portuguese club, maybe our players would feel relieved. That is, if we scored on the road, we will win 100 percent in Baku. On the one hand, it is a good reason, on the other hand, it would be a hindrance. We had a small dialogue that we have not done anything and we will have to spend more energy in Baku. I said that we should be careful in our interviews.
– Three years ago, you were cautious about games. But after the civil war, you say that we emerge as the team of the victorious country. We played your first game in Khankendi. Would you like to host the European Cup match in Khankendi?
– Moments in Khankendi, that day… It was an irreplaceable day. Believe me, I was proud of Mr. President when he hit the first ball and stood with his hands like that. The fact that my players are not afraid of the opponent… Our players were very interested in the events during the war, they were given information about our heroes. We dedicate the victory to our people, especially Mr. President.
– You have an assistant like Elchin Rahmanov. How did you feel his absence when the chief judge kicked him out?
– Elchin’s role in this team was undeniable. He is the person I trust the most, the person we discuss our work with the most. He has very smart, thoughtful ideas. Which benefits the team. Every few minutes, I turned around to say something, but I saw that Elchin was not there. Then I adapted. It was also a blow. But the team succeeded. He won’t be with me in the next game. But we will still be in touch.
