“Two well-organized teams of similar level faced each other. Selje had performed well in the Conference League last season. Although we had some shortcomings, we were generally satisfied with the overall picture. In such matches, experience takes center stage, and it was clear the opponent had the edge in that regard. We have the return leg ahead, and we believe we’ll be better prepared and come out on top this time.”
These were the thoughts of Sabah goalkeeper Nijat Mehbaliyev in an interview with Futbolinfo.az, Idman.biz reports.
The 25-year-old keeper emphasized that both clubs were evenly matched: “No one can claim that one side was significantly superior to the other. Small details influenced the outcome, some skill, some experience... Even though the result was 2-3, we believe our chances are equal for the return match.”
He also noted the physical effort put in by his team: “It’s natural that players were tired in the second half. We spent a lot of energy during the match. Since the opponent controlled possession more, we focused on pressing.”
Mehbaliyev shared his thoughts on the new head coach, Valdas Dambrauskas: “From day one, he told us he needed confident players and that making mistakes is normal. This approach instilled self-belief in us. The coach’s identity doesn’t matter to us—we’ve always maintained discipline as a team. There are always ups and downs in football. Over time, I’m sure we’ll be better than before.”
He said frequent coaching changes at Sabah were a normal part of football: “This is part of the game. Players can also change clubs at any time. These decisions are not ours to make. Our job is to give our all in training and fulfill the coach’s instructions.”
Nijat Mehbaliyev also commented on his contract: “Currently, I have a one-year contract with Sabah. What happens in the future remains to be seen.”
Finally, he stated the team has set high goals for the new season: “We wanted to win the league last season but finished fifth. Every player should aim for the top. Why not?! The club management has provided everything we need, and we have a strong team. We want to fight for the title or medals this season.”
Idman.biz
