Ilkin Hajiyev, head coach of Neftchi IK, remains confident in his team's chances of winning the Azerbaijan Futsal Premier League title, despite trailing league leaders Araz-Nakhchivan by three points.
Speaking to Report, Hajiyev acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the season, including injuries and squad changes:
"We started the season well, but things got complicated after Isa Atayev’s injury and the departure of several players. Newcomers needed time to adapt. Still, we're second on the table with two tough matches ahead—against Araz-Nakhchivan and Baku Fire. We'll give our all in both games."
Looking ahead to the critical clash with Araz-Nakhchivan on May 22, Hajiyev stressed the importance of not just winning but doing so convincingly:
"To secure the championship, we must defeat Araz-Nakhchivan with a higher goal difference. We'll do everything we can to achieve the maximum result."
Fortunately for Neftchi, the squad is currently injury-free:
"We can field a full team for the final two matches. There’s still a week before the Araz-Nakhchivan game, and while some mental and physical fatigue is natural at this stage of the season, I hope the players stay healthy and we can compete at full strength."
With 43 points from 18 matches, Neftchi sits second in the league, just three points behind Araz-Nakhchivan—making their upcoming showdown a potential title decider.
Idman.biz
