Neftçi PFK
| Neftchi Logo | ||||
| Full name | Neftçi Peşəkar Futbol Klubu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Ağ-Qaralar (White and Blacks) Neftçiler (Oil Workers) | |||
| Founded | March 18, 1937 | |||
| Ground | Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Ismat Gayibov Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 31,200 ; 5,000 | |||
| President |  Sadyg Sadygov | |||
| Head Coach | Boyukagha Hajiyev | |||
| League | Azerbaijan Premier League | |||
| 2011–12 | 1st | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
|
| ||||
Neftchi Baku PFC (Azerbaijani: Neftçi Peşəkar Futbol Klubu), also known simply as Neftchi, is an Azerbaijani football club based in the capital, Baku, that currently plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League. They are the most famous and the most successful Azerbaijani club with seven Azerbaijan Premier League and four Azerbaijan Cup titles. The club is one of the three teams in Azerbaijan, along with FK Qarabağ and Turan Tovuz which has participated in all Azerbaijan Premier League championships so far.
In 2012, Neftchi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team which advanced to group stage of a European competition.[1][2]
History
Soviet era
Neftchi Baku PFC was founded in 1937.[3] During the years of 1937–1967, it was known as Neftyanik and it was renamed Neftchi in 1968.[4]
Neftchi played three spells in the Soviet Top League, in 1949–1950, 1960–1972, and 1977–1988, for a total of 28 years in the top division of Soviet football.[4] The club appeared in the Soviet First League, the second-highest division, from 1946–1948, 1951–1959, 1973–1976, and 1989–1991, with its top finish in 1976 as the runner-up.[4]
Neftchi's top scorer in this early era was Azerbaijani footballing legend Alakbar Mammadov, who also played for FC Dynamo Moscow; Mamedov netted 51 goals in league play during the 1950s and 1960s for the club, despite the prime of his career came in Moscow.[5]
Arguably, the club's greatest achievement was a 3rd place finish in the Soviet Top League in 1966, the highest finish for any Azerbaijani side in the Soviet era.[6] The 1966 squad was made up of many of the all-time great Azerbaijani footballers,[7] including forwards Anatoliy Banishevskiy (the UEFA Golden Player for Azerbaijan) and Kazbek Tuaev, midfielder Aleksandr Trophimov, and goalkeeper Sergey Kramarenko.[8] Fans and journalists in Azerbaijan commemorated the 40th anniversary of Neftchi's success in 2006.[9]
Modern period
Neftchi's most successful era came in 1990s, when the club become the first Azerbaijani football club ever to win five domestic titles and four cups.[10][11]
In 2006, Neftchi managed to win the CIS Cup after defeating FBK Kaunas in the final.[12] In European competitions, the club also have advanced to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League twice, having defeated Bosnian champions – NK Široki Brijeg – and Icelandic champions – FH Hafnarfjarðar – in 2004 and 2005 respectively.[13][14] In 2008, the club advanced to the third round of the 2008 Intertoto Cup, after defeating the Slovak club FC Nitra and the Belgian side K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot in the first two rounds.[15]
A long period of decline followed the success of the 2005 to the end of the decade. Despite the appointment of famous names such as Gurban Gurbanov, Vlastimil Petržela, Anatoliy Demyanenko and Hans-Jürgen Gede, the club did not achieve any success and squandered large sums of money on unsuccessful signings.[16][17] Things changed to positive in December 2009, when the club's control was given to Sadyg Sadygov.[18] The takeover was immediately followed by a flurry of bids for high profile international players such as, Belgian international Émile Mpenza from Sion, Bahodir Nasimov from Rubin Kazan, Macedonians Igor Mitreski and Slavčo Georgievski.[19] In May 2010, under Arif Asadov's first season as Neftchi head coach, the club won its sixth championship title.[20][21] Asadov also become first person to win the league title as a coach and football player.[22]
In the 2011–12 season, Neftchi repeated their domestic success and become champions for seventh time in their history.[23][24] In November 2011, club also celebrated its 1000th victory in official games and 1000th goal, which is scored by Araz Abdullayev.[25]The club have excellent European cup record, having not lost at home since 1999–2000 season.
In 2012, Neftchi Baku qualified for the 2012-13 UEFA Europa League group stage, being the first Azerbaijani team to advance to this stage in a European competition.[26]
Stadium
Neftchi Baku's home games are usually played at Tofik Bakhramov Stadium in Baku. Built by German prisoners of war in 1951 and constructed in the shape of C to honour Stalin, however it was renamed after famous football referee Tofik Bakhramov in 1993 after his death.[27] The stadium also serves as the home ground of the Azerbaijan national football team and holds 30,000 making it the largest stadium in the country.[28] In 2011, Neftchi's domestic games moved to Ismat Gayibov Stadium.[29]
Crest and colours
Since the club's foundation, Neftchi have had four main crests, though all underwent minor variations. In 1949, Neftchi adopted as their first crest the image of an oil platform with Russian n letter, which obviously contributed to the Oil Workers nickname, and remained for the next 27 years.[30]
In 1977, Neftchi's crest was changed again as a ball and sunrise background elements added, which was to endure for the next two decades.[30] The club's crest was changed again in 1997 as part of another attempt to modernise and to capitalise on new marketing opportunities.[30] This was the first club badge without oil platform, as it was replaced by the national seal of the Baku. With new ownership, and the club's centenary approaching, combined with demands from fans for the club's traditional badge to be restored, it was decided that the crest should be changed again in 2004. The new crest was officially adopted for the start of the 2004–05 season and marks a return to the older design of the oil platform. As with previous crests, this one has appeared in traditional black and white colours.[30]
Shirt sponsors and kit manufacturers
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1937–1992 | None | None |
| 1992–1993 |  Adidas
|
ÇAPHAS |
| 1993–1994 | Dış. Tic. A.Ş. | |
| 1994–1998 | RIAD | |
| 1998–2003 | None | |
| 2003 |  Umbro
|
Azərneftyağ |
| 2004 | BNEZ | |
| 2004–2006 |  Lotto
|
SOCAR |
| 2006–... | Adidas
|
Neftchi's traditional kit is a was composed of black shirts, white shorts and socks of the same color. Although through the years these two have gone from alternating between white and black stripes. The club's kits are manufactured by Adidas and sponsored by SOCAR, a multinational oil and gas company which is based in the city of Baku.
Supporters
Neftchi Baku is the most supported club in Azerbaijan, with 37 221 supporters organized in many fan clubs around the world, including United States, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, and any other country with a sizeable Azerbaijani community.[31] The most active fan groups are Neftchi's official fan club, Flaqman and ultraNeftçi.
Rivalry with Khazar Lankaran
The game between Neftchi and Khazar Lankaran is one of the biggest clashes in Azerbaijan. The relationship between the two clubs has always been known for its great animosity, as the classic opposes two geographic regions – with Neftchi and Khazar Lankaran representing the north and south of Azerbaijan, respectively.[32][33][34]
Achievements
League
- Winners (7): 1992, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2010-11, 2011-12
- Runners-up (2): 2000–01, 2006-07
Cup
Regional
League and domestic cup history
Azerbaijan Premier League
| Season | Div. | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GS | GA | P | Domestic Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 1st | 1 | 36 | 30 | 2 | 4 | 104 | 23 | 62 | Quarter-Finals |
| 1993 | 1st | 5 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 39 | 11 | 27 | Quarter-Finals |
| 1993–94 | 1st | 8 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 37 | 11 | 29 | Quarter-Finals |
| 1994–95 | 1st | 3 | 24 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 67 | 15 | 38 | Winner |
| 1995–96 | 1st | 1 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 42 | 17 | 39 | Winner |
| 1996–97 | 1st | 1 | 30 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 98 | 20 | 74 | |
| 1997–98 | 1st | 6 | 26 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 43 | 23 | 43 | |
| 1998–99 | 1st | 3 | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 57 | 18 | 52 | Winner |
| 1999–00 | 1st | 3 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 17 | 43 | Semi-Finals |
| 2000–01 | 1st | 2 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 57 | 11 | 51 | Runners-Up |
| 2001–02 | 1st | 3 | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 34 | 7 | 44 | |
| 2003–04 | 1st | 1 | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 15 | 69 | Winners |
| 2004–05 | 1st | 1 | 34 | 24 | 6 | 4 | 52 | 18 | 78 | Quarter-Finals |
| 2005–06 | 1st | 3 | 26 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 51 | 16 | 54 | Semi-Finals |
| 2006–07 | 1st | 2 | 24 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 47 | 15 | 44 | Semi-Finals |
| 2007–08 | 1st | 3 | 26 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 42 | 18 | 55 | Semi-Finals |
| 2008–09 | 1st | 8 | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 21 | 36 | Quarter-Finals |
| 2009–10 | 1st | 5 | 42 | 13 | 19 | 10 | 31 | 26 | 58 | Quarter-Finals |
| 2010–11 | 1st | 1 | 32 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 53 | 17 | 67 | Quarter-Finals |
| 2011–12 | 1st | 1 | 32 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 55 | 30 | 63 | Runners-Up |
In European football
As of August 30, 2012.
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | 1Q | 
|
APOEL | 0–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 
|
| 1996–97 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | 
|
Lokomotiv Sofia | 2–1 | 0–6 | 2–7 |
|
| 1997–98 | UEFA Champions League | 1Q | 
|
Widzew Łódź | 0–2 | 0–8 | 0–10 |
|
| 1999–00 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | 
|
Crvena Zvezda | 2–3 | 0–1 | 2–4 |
|
| 2000–01 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | 
|
Hit Gorica | 1–0 | 1–3 | 2–3 |
|
| 2001–02 | UEFA Cup | 1Q |
|
Hit Gorica | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–1 |
|
| 2004–05 | UEFA Champions League | 1Q | 
|
Široki Brijeg | 1–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 (a) | 
|
| 2Q | 
|
CSKA Moscow | 0–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 |
| ||
| 2005–06 | UEFA Champions League | 1Q | 
|
Hafnarfjarðar | 2–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 |
|
| 2Q | 
|
RSC Anderlecht | 1–0 | 0–5 | 1–5 |
| ||
| 2007–08 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | 
|
SV Ried | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–4 |
|
| 2008–09 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1R | 
|
FC Nitra | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–3 (a) |
|
| 2R |
|
Germinal Beerschot | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| ||
| 3R | 
|
FC Vaslui | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
| ||
| 2011–12 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q | 
|
Dinamo Zagreb | 0–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 |
|
| 2012–13 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q | 
|
FC Zestafoni | 3–0 | 2–2 | 5–2 |
|
| 3Q | 
|
Ironi Kiryat Shmona | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–6 |
| ||
| 2012–13 | UEFA Europa League | PO |
|
APOEL | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 |
|
| Group H | 
|
Partizan | N/A | |||||
|
|
Internazionale | N/A | ||||||
|
|
Rubin Kazan | N/A |
Current squad
- As of 23 August 2012
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Reserves Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Coaching staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | Boyukagha Hajiyev
|
| Assistant first team coach | Tarlan Ahmadov
|
| Assistant first team coach | Bakhtiyar Musayev
|
| Assistant first team coach | Kamal Quliyev
|
| Goalkeeper coach | Nebojsa Manojlović
|
| Club doctor | Boris Khatagurov
|
| Assistant doctor | Rasim Gadimaliev
|
| Assistant doctor | Tofig Gasimov
|
| Physiotherapist | Zakir Guliyev
|
| Source: Neftchi Baku PFC | |
Presidential history
Neftchi has had numerous presidents over the course of its history, some of whom have been owners of the club while others have been honorary presidents. In 1988, Neftchi had registered as a professional football club and club since then had 6 presidents.
|
Notable former players
|
|
|
Notable managers
The following managers have all won at least one trophy when in charge of Neftchi:
| Name | Period | Trophies |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmad Alaskarov
|
1991–92 | Azerbaijan Premier League |
| Vagif Sadygov
|
1993–95 | 2 Azerbaijan Cups |
| Kazbek Tuaev
|
1996–97, 1998–99, 2003–04 | 3 Azerbaijan Premier League, 2 Azerbaijan Cups, |
| Agaselim Mirjavadov
|
2004–06 | Azerbaijan Premier League, CIS Cup |
| Arif Asadov
|
2010–11 | Azerbaijan Premier League |
| Boyukagha Hajiyev
|
2011–12 | Azerbaijan Premier League |
References
- ^ "«Нефтчи» стал первым азербайджанским футбольным клубом, вышедшим в групповой этап еврокубков - ФОТО". 1news.az (in Russian). Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "ЦСКА вылетел из еврокубков". UEFA (in Russian). uefa.com. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "PFC Neftchi". footballdatabase.com. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ a b c
"Neftchi (Baki)". KLISF (Club for History and Statistics of Amateur Football). 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^
"Mamedov Alekper Amirovich". KLISF (Club for History and Statistics of Amateur Football). 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ibragimov, Erkin (2006-11-04). "FOOTBALL EUROPE: Gurbanov now nifty at Neftchi". noticias.info. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^
"Neftyanick (Baki) 1966". KLISF (Club for History and Statistics of Amateur Football). 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ibragimov, Erkin (2004-02-02). "Neftchi's season in the sun". uefa.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07. [dead link]
- ^
Kazimzade, Akshin (2006-12-01). "Бронза, старей, увы, тускнеет (Bronze, the oldest, alas, it grows dim)" (in Russian). Career Master. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ ""Нефтчи" впервые за шесть лет стал чемпионом Азербайджана". Championat.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "История азербайджанского футбола. Время позора, успеха и денег". Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Скандал на Кубке Содружества: чемпионы Армении отказались играть с азербайджанцами (Scandal at the CIS Cup: The champions of Armenia refused to play the Azerbaijanis)" (in Russian). NewsRU.com. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "UEFA Champions League History Season 2004 First Round". uefa.com. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League History Season 2005 First Round". uefa.com. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ "Football Europe: PFC Neftçi in the Intertoto Cup 2008". uefa.com. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ Aliyev, Elmir. "Вице-президент "Нефтчи": "Ханс-Юрген Геде хотел нас "кинуть""". Day.az. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
- ^ Fataliyev, Rustam. "Нефтчи" снова остался без главного тренера". Zerkalo.az.
- ^ "У флагмана новый президент". Zerkalo.az. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
- ^ "Sabah futbol üzrə Azərbaycan milli çempionatı başlayır". Retrieved 30 December 2010.
- ^ Ibrahimov, Erkin. "Neftçi take title honours in Azerbaijan". UEFA. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "Neftchi are Azerbaijani champions". News.az.
- ^ "Arif Əsədov Azərbaycan futbolu tarixinə düşdü". Retrieved 1 May 2011.
- ^ Ibragimov, Erkin. "Neftçi take honours in Azerbaijan". UEFA. uefa.com. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ "Нефтчи - чемпион второй год подряд". Azerifootball.com (in Russian). Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- ^ "2011-ci ilin sirrini APASPORT açdı – EKSKLÜZİV - STATİSTİKA". APASPORT.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ^ Biedov, Nemanja. "End of Europa road for APOEL". Cyprus mail. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Наш соперник: сборная Азербайджана Template:Ru icon
- ^ В столице Азербайджана будет построен 60-тысячный стадион Template:Ru icon
- ^ Sadıq Sadıqov: “Araz yüz faiz "Everton"un düşərgəsinə gedəcək. Amma...”, derbi.az, April 7, 2011
- ^ a b c d “Neftçi”nin loqosu Template:Az icon
- ^ Neftchi's FanFanklub Template:Az icon
- ^ Раиль МЕЛИКОВ: «Это главное дерби Азербайджана и его невозможно сравнить с другим матчем»Template:Ru icon
- ^ “XƏZƏR-LƏNKƏRAN”-"NEFTÇİ" DERBİSİ İTV-dən YAYIMLANACAQ Template:Az icon
- ^ pfl.az:50 saat qalmışTemplate:Az icon
External links
- Official website
- Neftchi at AFFA.AZ
- Neftchi at UEFA.COM
- Neftchi at EUFO.DE
- Neftchi at Weltfussball.de
- Neftchi at Playerhistory.com
- Neftchi at Transfermarkt.de
- Neftchi at National Football Teams.com
- Neftchi at Football-Lineups.com
- Club info on Soccerway.com
Template:UEFA Champions League Template:UEFA Europa League
