Interview with Abulhasan Mammadov, football player of “Zira” U-17 team, who scored 697 out of a maximum 700 points in the graduation exam
– First, please introduce yourself.
– I am Mammadov Abulhasan, a graduate of Secondary School No. 64 in Baku city. I am originally from Western Azerbaijan.
– Which group did you prepare for and how many points did you score?
– I prepared for the first specialty group. I scored 297 points in the graduation exam and the maximum score of 400 points in the block exam. I thank my parents and teachers for this achievement.
– Which specialty do you want to choose?
– I want to apply to the Information and Cybersecurity specialty at Baku Higher Oil School.
– Has anyone in your family ever scored such a high result?
– My brother scored 642 points earlier. He is currently a student at Baku Higher Oil School.
– You are also a football player for “Zira” U-17 team. There is a saying in football that a defeat means 3 points. You were 3 points short of the maximum 700. How did you take it?
– Actually, I felt bad. When we checked the answers after the graduation exam, I found out I scored 296.7 points. I was both happy and sad. I was disappointed because I could have gotten the maximum, I had the potential. But it didn’t work out. I thought I would try to get 400 points in the block exam. I didn’t get the maximum score in the first attempt but succeeded on the second try. My goal was 700 points. But I’m fully satisfied with 697 points.
– Did you manage to score such results in trial exams from the start?
– I once scored 400 points and once 397 points in block trial exams. I always believed I would get the maximum score in the main exam.
– At what age did you start playing football?
– I started playing football at age 10. I have been training for almost 8 years. I started at “Sarhadchi”, then played for “Zira” U-12 team.
– Does anyone in your family play football, and where did this interest come from?
– No one in my relatives plays football. It was just my own interest. I always wanted to play football, and I managed to start.
– Usually, applicants give up many activities because of exams. You are both a football player and a high-achieving student. How did you manage?
– It was difficult to do both. Football training took about 5 hours daily. I spent the rest of my time on studying. The main thing was to manage everything in a planned way. I focused more on my weaker subjects.
– Did your teachers tell you “don’t play football, focus on your studies”?
– Some did, some supported me. They said it’s better to do both. I said that even if I play football, I will score this many points. My goal was 700 points. I once scored 695 in a trial exam.
– Did “Zira” U-17 head coach Seymur Shabiyev provide you with conditions related to your studies?
– He said if training and classes overlap, solve your study first. They showed understanding when problems arose. But most of the time I went to football. I never missed classes because of studies but sometimes missed classes because of football.
– How did your teammates react to this result?
– Most expected it, but some didn’t expect such a high result. Everyone was happy.
– Matches in younger age groups are held on weekdays. Did you miss any games because of classes?
– My coaches always said classes are important and always provided conditions. I never missed any games. But I missed some classes because of football. In 10th grade, I couldn’t attend physics preparation because of football. There were 3 classes a week, and I missed 1-2. On those days, there was either training or a game. But I studied the tests at home.
– What is your decision: continue football or education?
– I haven’t made a final decision yet. I am thinking of continuing both.
– What does your family want you to choose?
– They don’t mind. They support me in both fields.
– What are your goals?
– If I choose science, I want to specialize in cybersecurity. If I choose football, my dream is to represent Azerbaijan abroad.
– Who is your football idol?
– I have always watched football and liked it. I have always supported “Barcelona.” I liked Lionel Messi.
– What position do you play?
– I’m a forward.
– Did the “Zira” management congratulate you on this achievement?
– All my coaches congratulated me. Everyone was happy and congratulated me.
– Has any organization contacted you?
– PFL invited me and interviewed me. I thank them.
– Do you expect congratulations from the head coach of the main team, Rashad Sadygov?
– I don’t know if he knows or not. It would be great if he congratulates.
– Do you follow the local championship and teams?
– As much as I can, I watch every team. The European club season just started. I try to watch the games of “Zira,” “Qarabag,” “Sabah,” and “Araz-Nakhchivan.” They are all Azerbaijani clubs and should win because it benefits us. I want them all to qualify for the groups.
– Did you manage to watch games during the exams?
– I watched almost all the games. But I always watched “Barcelona” and “Zira” games whenever I could.
– “Zira” had a game against “Hajduk” in Baku. Do you support the main team?
– True, I couldn’t go to the “Hajduk” game. That day I just couldn’t make it to the stadium. But I watched it on my phone.
– How do you see their chances?
– “Zira” performed very well in the first game. They can defeat the opponent in the return match. Our chances to advance to the next stage are high. I wish them success.
– Recently, “Zira” U-16 team member Farid Shahverdiyev drowned. Did you know him?
– Yes. He played in the team one year younger than ours. I saw him 1-2 times a week, sometimes not every day. I think his main dream was to be a footballer because he was very interested in it. I didn’t know him closely. May God have mercy on him!
– You finished 3rd in the AFFA U-17 League season…
– Yes, “Neftchi” was the champion. But “Qarabag” and we were also competing for the championship. We traveled to Tovuz, Ganja, Gabala, and other regions for away games. On the day of away games, I couldn’t attend training. We either traveled the day before or the day of the game. Even if I missed 1-2 days of training, I did the work at home.
– In regions like Tovuz and Ganja, fan support is more felt than in other places for younger age groups. Sometimes guest teams face problems there…
– True, there is more fan support in the regions. Parents and others come to our games. But it is more noticeable in the regions. I haven’t faced any special problems.
– Are you a regular player in matches, do you always come on the field?
– I played in the main lineup in a few games. But I came on as a substitute in all games.
– Why was it like that?
– I get tired faster because I have anemia. I can play for 35-40 minutes. My head coach decided that if I get tired faster, it’s better for me to enter the field later and be more effective.
– What did your head coach consider your main weakness?
– He praised my discipline. I have flaws, and he points out my mistakes. He gives maximum support.
– Have you ever had any serious injury?
– No, I have not had a long-term injury. I haven’t missed any game because of injury. At most, I’ve been recovering once or twice.
– Would you like to study abroad?
– Maybe for a master’s degree, I would like to study abroad. But I’m not sure, maybe if I choose football, I won’t do a master’s. When the time comes, I will decide accordingly.
– Which country would you choose?
– Probably Estonia because cybersecurity is better developed there. Many people from different countries study there. Maybe if I choose football, I won’t need to do a master’s. If football doesn’t work out, I will study.
– So you might quit football completely?
– If I see I can’t become a strong footballer, I will probably quit. Because I have goals and interests in education too.
– You started your education with such a successful result. Do you believe you can be as successful in football as in studies?
– I can’t say now. How it will turn out can only be seen in the future. I try to succeed.
– When you started playing football, everyone sets a goal for themselves like “I will be here by such time.” What goal have you set?
– To play professional football abroad. The country doesn’t matter. The main thing is to represent Azerbaijan abroad more.
– Have you been invited to the national team?
– I have been to selection but not official games. I was in the U-15 team, the head coach was Fuzulu Mammadov. I haven’t played in official matches.
– Have you met players from “Zira” main team?
– No, I only watch their games. They train separately, and we train elsewhere.
– Several players from “Qarabag” U-17 joined the main team and even debuted in the championship. Some are included in Champions League squads. Has your team had such players?
– Yes, we have. Murad Gurbanov, Imran Suleymanzada, Ahliman Suleymanzada also participated in trainings. Ahliman hasn’t debuted in Premier League games but was included in the squad. I haven’t been invited.
– Has Rashad Sadygov personally watched your training or games?
– He was at one of our games, but I don’t remember exactly.
– What was your first salary?
– I earned 50 manat in the U-15 league. I didn’t spend it on anything special. I didn’t spend it right away.
– Many football players neglect education. What would you say to applicants?
– It’s possible to do both at the same time. You don’t have to give up football for studies or vice versa. It’s possible to manage both.
– Will you be able to combine university and football?
– I think I will. This year was very difficult, but if I managed it, the coming years will probably be easier.
– We wish you success. Would you like to say something to your coaches or teachers?
– I say “thank you very much” to all of them.
Idman.biz
