"The result is very disappointing. We managed to beat a strong team like Sheriff in both matches."
Aslan Karimov, a former member of the Azerbaijan national team, told Idman.biz.
The 51-year-old specialist commented on the match in which Zira lost 1:2 (4:5 on penalties) to Sheriff in the first Europa League qualifying. The veteran football player said that the inexperience of the players caused the defeat: "The goal we scored in the first game, and the red card in the second half, everything happened with the advantage of Zira. A strong team like Sheriff was disarmed on the field. In the first part, I was sure that Zira would level up. But a controversial red card decided the fate of the game. In that episode, it appeared that the judge was inexperienced. A yellow card could also be given. Zira endured until the penalties, but then it did not succeed with the opponent. 11-yard free kicks are a fifty-fifty affair. It would not be right to condemn them here. After the match was announced, I mentioned that Sheriff is strong and it will be difficult in Baku. But the players’ lack of experience in such games also dictating the result. In the national championship, even red cards may not be given, but in international matches, referees hand out cards mercilessly. Experienced football players understand the essence of such meetings. Therefore, receiving a red card where he was standing left Zira out of this stage. If it wasn't for the red card, the score would have been bigger in favor of Zira."
Zira, which stopped the competition in the Europa League, will continue their journey in the II qualifying stage of the Conference League. Rashad Sadygov's team will face Dunajska Streda (Slovakia). The first match between the sides will be held on July 25 in Baku, and the return match will be held in Slovakia one week later.
Emin Aga
Idman.biz
