Azerbaijan national football team

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Azerbaijan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Odlar Yurdu
(The Land of Fire)
Association Association of Football
Federations of Azerbaijan
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Flag of Germany Berti Vogts
Captain Rashad Sadygov
Most caps Aslan Kerimov (78)
Top scorer Gurban Gurbanov (12)
Home stadium Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
FIFA code AZE
FIFA ranking 139
Highest FIFA ranking 97 (June 1999)
Lowest FIFA ranking 170 (June 1994)
Elo ranking 122
Highest Elo ranking 100 (1993)
Lowest Elo ranking 151 (Feb 2001)
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Home colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Away colours
First international
Flag of Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic Georgia 1–1 Azerbaijan Flag of Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic
(Tbilisi, Georgia, 1927)[1]
 Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan 
(Gurjaani, Georgia; September 17, 1992)[1][2]
Biggest win
 Azerbaijan 4–0 Liechtenstein 
(Baku, Azerbaijan ; 5 June 1999)
Biggest defeat
 France 10 – 0 Azerbaijan 
(Auxerre, France; September 6, 1995)[1]

The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It represents Azerbaijan in international football competitions.

The Azerbaijan national football team has attempted to qualify for each major tournament from Euro 96 onwards, but has never achieved to take part in finals tournament of the World Cup, or the European Championships.

Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract on April 2008. He says his priority won't be World Cup qualification, but creating new structures and a real game. He will start everything from zero.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

  • First Azerbaijani football clubs started to function in 1905. Generally they represented the main oil companies of Baku.
  • The Azerbaijan national football team held her first friendly matches against Georgia and Armenia in 1927 for the Trans-Caucasian Championship in Georgia.[1]
  • During the Soviet Era the team did not play any international matches

[edit] '60s to '90s

1960s considered Golden Age for Azeri football as it produced great players like Anatoliy Banishevskiy, Alakbar Mammadov and football referee Tofik Bakhramov, most famous for being a linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany.

[edit] Modern History

After Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, AFFA — Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan — was created. In 1992, renowned Azerbaijani footballer Alekper Mamedov became the first head coach of the Azeribaijani national football team, compiling a 3–1 record as coach that includes the first ever national team victory, over Georgia on May 25, 1993.[3][4] In 1994, the national team was accepted into FIFA and UEFA.

Because of security issues, the team played all of its home Euro 96 qualifers in Trabzon, Turkey.[5]

In February 2004, Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of the Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup was appointed its national coach. Despite a poor start, a 0–6 defeat to Israel on February 18, Azerbaijan won their first ever away match, 3–2 against Kazakhstan on April 28. In June 2005, following a 3–0 defeat by Poland, Torres stood down from the position, to be replaced by former Neftchi coach Vagif Sadygov, his third spell as coach of Azerbaijan. Shakhin Diniyev took over as manager in November 2005. He resigned on 31 October 2007, and Gjoko Hadzievski was named as care-taking coach of Azerbaijan.[6]

In April 2008 famous German football player and coach Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract.[7]

Azerbaijan have yet to make their mark on international football, though there are signs that the side can compete with the best teams on given days. But, so far the nation that lies on the west side of the Caspian Sea have failed to reach a single FIFA World Cup or European Championship finals.

[edit] World Cup record

[edit] World Cup 2010

[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Germany 6 5 1 0 18 4 +14 16
 Russia 6 5 0 1 12 3 +9 15
 Finland 6 3 1 2 8 10 −2 10
 Wales 7 3 0 4 5 7 −2 9
 Azerbaijan 5 0 1 4 0 5 −5 1
 Liechtenstein 6 0 1 5 1 15 −14 1
  Flag of Azerbaijan Flag of Finland Flag of Germany Flag of Liechtenstein Flag of Russia Flag of Wales
Azerbaijan  5 Sep 12 Aug 0 – 0 14 Oct 0 – 1
Finland  1 – 0 3 – 3 2 – 1 0 – 3 10 Oct
Germany  9 Sep 14 Oct 4 – 0 2 – 1 1 – 0
Liechtenstein  10 Oct 9 Sep 0 – 6 0 – 1 14 Oct
Russia  2 – 0 3 – 0 10 Oct 5 Sep 2 – 1
Wales  1 – 0 0 – 2 0 – 2 2 – 0 9 Sep


Azerbaijan have been drawn alongside Germany, Russia, Wales, Finland and Liechtenstein in Group 4 and kicked off their qualifying campaign playing away to Wales on 6 September. Vogts replaces Gjoko Hadžievski who was dismissed after the Azeris failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008.[7] Vogts has said that the qualifying group is difficult, stating that "We want to learn some things from Germany and try to upset Russia."[8]

[edit] European Championship record

[edit] Euro 2008 qualifications

Azerbaijan was competing in Group A in qualification for UEFA Euro 2008, together with Portugal, Poland, Serbia, Belgium, Armenia, Finland and Kazakhstan.

[edit] Current squad

The following players have been called up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match vs Russia, that will take place on March 28, 2009.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
GK Farhad Veliyev November 1, 1980 (1980-11-01) (age 28) 27 0 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Karabakh
GK Kamran Agaev February 9, 1986 (1986-02-09) (age 23) 6 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Khazar Lankaran
GK Rauf Mehdiyev October 17, 1976 (1976-10-17) (age 32) 5 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Simurg Zaqatala
GK Salakhat Agaev November 4, 1991 (1991-11-04) (age 17) 0 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Inter Baku
DF Rashad Sadygov (Captain) June 16, 1982 (1982-06-16) (age 27) 50 3 Flag of Turkey Kocaelispor
DF Mahir Shukurov December 12, 1982 (1982-12-12) (age 26) 32 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Inter Baku
DF Rail Melikov December 18, 1985 (1985-12-18) (age 23) 23 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku
DF Saşa Yunisoğlu December 18, 1985 (1985-12-18) (age 23) 17 0 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Baku
DF Ernani Pereira January 22, 1978 (1978-01-22) (age 31) 9 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Karvan
DF Sergei Sokolov March 12, 1977 (1977-03-12) (age 32) 7 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Simurq Zaqatala
MF Samir Abbasov February 1, 1978 (1978-02-01) (age 31) 30 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Inter Baku
MF Elmar Bakhshiev August 3, 1980 (1980-08-03) (age 28) 27 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku
MF Javid Huseynov March 9, 1988 (1988-03-09) (age 21) 13 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Inter Baku
MF Elvin Mammadov July 18, 1988 (1988-07-18) (age 20) 9 1 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Karabakh
MF Jemshid Maharramov October 3, 1983 (1983-10-03) (age 25) 6 0 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Karabakh
MF Fabio Luis Ramim April 10, 1981 (1981-04-10) (age 28) 9 3 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Baku
MF Aqil Nəbiyev June 16, 1982 (1982-06-16) (age 27) 4 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Olimpik Baku
MF Rahid Amirquliev September 1, 1989 (1989-09-01) (age 19) 3 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Khazar Lankaran
FW Branimir Subašić July 4, 1982 (1982-07-04) (age 27) 26 6 Flag of the People's Republic of China Changchun Yatai
FW Vagif Dzavadov May 25, 1989 (1989-05-25) (age 20) 21 2 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Karabakh
FW Vüqar Nadirov June 15, 1987 (1987-06-15) (age 22) 19 1 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Karabakh
FW Leandro Gomes August 24, 1976 (1976-08-24) (age 32) 17 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Olimpik Baku

[edit] Recent call-up

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
DF Usim Nduka September 23, 1985 (1985-09-23) (age 23) 10 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Olimpik Baku
DF Nodar Məmmədov June 3, 1988 (1988-06-03) (age 21) 3 0 Flag of Azerbaijan MOIK Baku
DF Vladimir Levin January 23, 1984 (1984-01-23) (age 25) 4 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Inter Baku
MF Mahmud Gurbanov May 10, 1973 (1973-05-10) (age 36) 69 1 Flag of Azerbaijan FK Baku
MF Aleksandr Chertoganov February 8, 1980 (1980-02-08) (age 29) 21 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Simurq Zaqatala
MF Zeynal Zeynalov December 6, 1978 (1978-12-06) (age 30) 12 1 Flag of Azerbaijan Standard Baku
MF Araz Abdullayev March 19, 1992 (1992-03-19) (age 17) 2 0 Flag of Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku
FW Khagani Mammadov September 29, 1976 (1976-09-29) (age 32) 19 1 Flag of Azerbaijan FC Inter Baku

[edit] Fixtures and results

[edit] Forthcoming fixtures

Date Tournament Location Opponent
August 12, 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of Germany Germany
September 5, 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of Finland Finland
September 9, 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Flag of Germany Hannover Flag of Germany Germany
October 10, 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Flag of Liechtenstein Vaduz Flag of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein
October 14, 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of Russia Russia

[edit] Recent results

Date Tournament Location Home Team Score Away Team Azerbajan Scorers
October 15, 2008
Friendly
Flag of Bahrain Manama Flag of Bahrain Bahrain
1:2
Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan
Zeynal Zeynalov Goal 45'
Elvin Mammadov Goal 65'
November 19, 2008
Friendly
Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan
1:1
Flag of Albania Albania
Branimir Subašić Goal 4'
February 1, 2009
Friendly
Flag of the United Arab Emirates Dubai Flag of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan
1:1
Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan
Fabio Luis Ramim Goal 63'
February 11, 2009
Friendly
Flag of Kuwait Kuwait City Flag of Kuwait Kuwait
1:1
Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan
Vagif Dzavadov Goal 1'
March 28, 2009
WCQ 2010
Flag of Russia Moscow Flag of Russia Russia
2:0
Flag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
June 2, 2009
Friendly
Flag of Turkey Kayseri Flag of Turkey Turkey
2:0
Flag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
June 6, 2009
WCQ 2010
Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
0:1
Flag of Wales Wales
June 9, 2009
Friendly
Flag of Azerbaijan Baku Flag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
0:6
Flag of Spain Spain

[edit] Most appearances (caps)

# Player Career period Caps Goals
1 Aslan Kerimov 1994–2007 75 0
2 Tarlan Akhmedov 1994–2005 73 0
3 Makhmud Gurbanov 1994–2008 69 1
4 Emin Agaev 1994–2005 65 1
5 Gurban Gurbanov 1992–2005 65 12
6 Rashad Sadygov 2001– 50 3
7 Emin Guliyev 2000–08 48 3
8 Kamal Guliyev 2000–2005 46 0
9 Vyacheslav Lichkin 1995–2001 45 4
10 Emin Imamaliev 2000–07 44 1

[edit] Top 10 goalscorers

# Player Career period Goals Caps
1 Gurban Gurbanov 1992–2005 12 65
2 Zaur Tagizade 1997– 6 40
3 Branimir Subašić 2007- 6 22
4 Vidadi Rzayev 1992–2001 5 35
5 Farrukh Ismailov 1998–2006 5 32
6 Nazim Suleymanov 1992–98 5 24
7 Samir Aliyev 1997–2007 4 33
8 Vyacheslav Lichkin 2007–08 4 45

[edit] Manager history

Team managers of Azerbaijan and the dates they took over.

Date appointed Manager name
2008–present Flag of Germany Berti Vogts
2007–08 Flag of the Republic of Macedonia Gjoko Hadžievski
2005–07 Flag of Azerbaijan Shakhin Diniyev
2005 Flag of Azerbaijan Vagif Sadygov
2004–05 Flag of Brazil Carlos Alberto Torres
2003 Flag of Azerbaijan Asker Abdullayev
2002 Flag of Azerbaijan Vagif Sadygov
2000–01 Flag of Azerbaijan Igor Ponomaryov
1998–99 Flag of Azerbaijan Ahmed Aleskerov
1997-98 Flag of Azerbaijan Vagif Sadygov
1995–97 Flag of Azerbaijan Kazbek Tuayev
1994–95 Flag of Azerbaijan Agaselim Mirjavadov
1993–94 Flag of Azerbaijan Kazbek Tuayev
1992–93 Flag of Azerbaijan Alekper Mamedov

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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