"We are extremely proud of today’s victory."
Qarabag president Tahir Gozel said this while speaking about the team’s determined 3:1 away win over Ferencvaros in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, Idman.biz reports.
Gozel, who watched the match live at the stadium, expressed his admiration for the Agdam side’s determination to continue their fight for a place in the tournament’s League stage this season:
“You know that we started our journey in the Champions League from the second qualifying round. The 28 teams that will play in the League stage are already known. The remaining 5 out of 8 spots will be decided after the clubs competing in the Champions Path finish their battles. Now we are in the play-off round. This means we are among the last 10 teams competing for 5 places. As always, I was with my team today. We are extremely proud of today’s victory. We are very happy that as a team we can bring such joy to our people.”
The club president also thanked the Azerbaijani fans who traveled from different countries to support the team at the Ferencvaros stadium: “Fans came from the USA, the Czech Republic, and many European countries to support us. Although there were only 500 of them, in a 22,000-seat stadium they were not outdone by the local fans, sometimes they even outshouted them, inspiring our team to victory. Despite falling behind in the first half, their support gave our players strength. The loyalty and spirit of our fans always gives Qarabag extra motivation.”
He also emphasized the importance of winning with superior play: “More important than the victory itself is how it was achieved. What made me happiest was our dominant play and greater possession. Especially in the second half, we played magnificently. Although we conceded an unlucky goal in the first half, we earned a well-deserved win. Tactically, we were superior. Our opponent tried to respond with long balls because they could not match our players in one-on-one battles. Winning in the play-off round not only boosts the players’ morale, it is also a historic event.”
Tahir Gozel highlighted Musa Gurbanlı’s goal that sealed the match: “One of the things that delighted me most was Musa Gurbanlı’s beautiful goal. This will give him extra motivation. That goal excited me not just as a president but as a fan as well. Moreover, Toral Bayramov’s goal against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League group stage being selected among the top 10 goals of last season also made me proud. That goal was watched by over 3 million people on UEFA’s YouTube page.”
Despite Qarabag’s 3:1 away victory, the president believes it is too early to relax. He stressed the importance of fans’ support in the return leg on August 27 at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium:
“Now we have 90 minutes left. The fate of the tie is not yet decided. We face a very strong, determined, and dangerous opponent. We must remain fully focused. The coaching staff knows this well. I ask our fans to show massive support for the team, because in the return leg their backing could play a decisive role. Unfortunately, I will be on a business trip and will have to watch the return match on TV. But I believe our team will qualify for the League stage of the tournament. And in that stage, I will again be by their side, supporting them.”
Idman.biz
