Azerbaijan U20 national team coach Vagif Javadov has recalled his time with Twente and revealed how his performances for Qarabag against the Dutch club helped shape his career.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the former midfielder spoke about his memories in an interview with Twente's official television channel.
Javadov recalled Qarabag's 2009 European tie against Twente and admitted that the encounter had special significance for him.
"I am very happy to meet the club again, and I believe this meeting will create a new chapter in history. It was a first for us. We were taking new steps in European competitions and beginning to gain recognition. There was a great atmosphere in Azerbaijan for that match. Our opponents had players of a very high level.
"It was a special match for me. Twente's head coach at the time, Steve McClaren, saw me in the match in the Netherlands. He gave me a signal about joining the team, and I responded positively," Javadov said.
The former Azerbaijan international eventually moved from Qarabag to Twente in January 2010. He was part of the Dutch club during the second half of the 2009/10 campaign and the beginning of the 2010/11 season but did not make an official appearance due to a knee injury.
That period nevertheless became historic for Twente, who won the Dutch championship for the first time in the club's history in the 2009/10 season.
Javadov described working under McClaren as a source of pride and also highlighted the progress made by Azerbaijani football in the years since.
"It was an honour to be under the guidance of a coach like Steve McClaren. Twente have grown during this period. Football in Azerbaijan has developed as well. Qarabag's results have been magnificent. Sabah qualifying for the main stage of the UEFA Champions League is another sign of the development of football in the country," he said.
Twente first took notice of Javadov during their Europa League qualifying play-off against Qarabag in 2009. The Azerbaijani side opened the scoring in Enschede but eventually lost 3-1, before the return leg in Baku ended goalless. Twente advanced 3-1 on aggregate.
The clubs met again in the Europa League qualifying play-offs in the 2014/15 season. The first leg in Baku finished 0-0, while Qarabag secured a 1-1 draw in Enschede and advanced on the away-goals rule, reaching the group stage of a European competition for the first time in their history.
The current tie is therefore the third European confrontation between Qarabag and Twente.
Javadov confirmed that he will attend tonight's match at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium.
"I wish everyone good luck. I believe the stronger team will win," he added.
Qarabag host Twente in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League play-offs today at 20:00 Baku time. The Aghdam club hold a 1-0 advantage after winning the first leg in the Netherlands.
