Azerbaijan national football team
Nickname(s) | Milli (The National Team) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | AFFA | |||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||
Head coach | Robert Prosinečki | |||
Captain | Rashad Sadygov | |||
Most caps | Rashad Sadygov (101) | |||
Top scorer | Gurban Gurbanov (14) | |||
Home stadium | Baku National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | AZE | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 117 2 (3 December 2015) | |||
Highest | 73 (July 2014) | |||
Lowest | 170 (June 1994) | |||
First international | ||||
Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan (Gurjaani, Georgia; September 17, 1992)[1][2] |
The Azerbaijan national football team (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan milli futbol komandası) is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It represents Azerbaijan in international football competitions. The majority of Azerbaijan's home matches are held at the national stadium, Baku National Stadium, with friendly matches sometimes hosted at club stadiums.
The Azerbaijan national football team has taken part in qualification for each major tournament since Euro 96, but has never qualified for the finals tournament of any World Cup or European Championships.
Contents
History
Early period (before the 1920s)
In the early twentieth century, football began to become popular in Azerbaijan, which was then part of the Russian Empire. In 1912, Azerbaijani football players had their first "international match" and they won in Tbilisi, Georgia against the local "Sokol" team with 4:2. During 1912-1913, matches between Azerbaijani and Georgian football teams were organized, first in Tbilisi and then in Baku. In 1914 the Football Union was founded in Azerbaijan. The Football Union undertook the organization of official city championships and other competitions.[3]
Soviet era (1920s—1991)
The oldest records of football teams in Soviet Azerbaijan goes back to 1926-1927, when Trans-Caucasian Championship was organized in Tbilisi. Three South Caucasian countries participated: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.[1] The Azerbaijan national football team held its first friendly matches against Georgia and Armenia in 1927 for the Trans-Caucasian Championship in Georgia.[1] Also in 1926 footbal players from Azerbaijan played three matches with Football team from Iran in Baku. In 1929 there were played three matches between these teams in Tehran. In all matches Azerbaijan players won.[4][5]
The 1960s is considered the Golden Age for Azerbaijani football as it produced great players like Anatoliy Banishevskiy, Alakbar Mammadov and the football referee Tofiq Bahramov, most famous for being the linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany.
Post-independence (1992—present)
1990s
After Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, AFFA — Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan — was created. In 1992, renowned Azerbaijani footballer Alekper Mamedov became the first head coach of the Azeribaijani national football team, compiling a 3–1 record as coach that includes the first ever national team victory, over Georgia on May 25, 1993.[6][7] In 1994, the national team was accepted into FIFA and UEFA. The security issues, forced the team to play all of its home Euro 96 qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey.[8]
2000s
As of the early 2000s, AFFA started to integrate more players to the national team through FIFA's eligibility rules.[9] In February 2004, Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of the Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup was appointed its national coach. Despite a poor start, a 0–6 defeat to Israel on February 18, Azerbaijan won their first ever away match, 3–2 against Kazakhstan on April 28. In June 2005, following a 3–0 defeat by Poland, Torres stood down from the position, to be replaced by former Neftchi coach Vagif Sadygov, his third spell as coach of Azerbaijan. Shahin Diniyev took over as manager in November 2005. He resigned on 31 October 2007, and Gjoko Hadzievski was named as care-taking coach of Azerbaijan.[10]
In April 2008, former German football player and coach Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract.[11] Azerbaijan had a mixed qualifying campaign, finishing with 5 points, just missing out on a last place to Liechtenstein with 2 points.
In November 2009, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, making him the first manager to manage Azerbaijani national team in two qualification cycles.[12][13]
2010s
In 2010, following a shock win over Turkey, the team reached 90th place in FIFA World Rankings, Azerbaijan's highest position ever in country's football history.[14][15] After victory over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan also broke their scoring and points records by gaining 7 points and scoring 10 goals.[16][17]
In November 2011, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, until end of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle.[18] Under Vogts, Azerbaijan had some poor results, not being able to win second-string sides, forcing Vogts to face major criticism, protest and demonstration from local supporters and the media.[19][20] However, Azerbaijan managed to finish qualification cycle in fourth place, team's best ever finish.[21] In December 2013, Vogts being granted a new two-year contract, with aim to lead Azerbaijan through EURO 2016 qualifying.[22] On July 2014, Azerbaijan beat its ranking record by reaching 73rd place in FIFA World Rankings. Following three straight losses, Vogts has resigned from his post after spending six years in charge of Azerbaijan.[23][24]
Team image
Colours
As of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying round, Azerbaijan's home colours are all-red kit. The team wears an all-blue kit for away games. This combination of colours are traditional for the national team since their first game. In the beginning of 90s the team has worn a white shirt, to the end of decade it has been transformated into blue-white striped shirts. At the beginning of the 2000s, the kit was replaced by the white shirt with a vertical tricolour stripe, color originating from the national flag of Azerbaijan on the chest. The kit was changed into blue shirts, red shorts and green socks only for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round. After the tournament, the national team went back to their usual combination of colours.
Azerbaijan national team's away colours were yellow-black striped shirts, black shorts and yellow socks until UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying round, when it was decided to abandon this kit in favor of the completely blue. During the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round games the team has used an all red kit.
Since 2006, Azerbaijan's kit have been supplied by Umbro. They took over from Puma who were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2004 to 2006. Before that Umbro were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2002 to 2004.
Nickname
Azerbaijan is often referred to by the media and supporters as Milli (The National Team), which is the nickname associated with all of Azerbaijan's international sporting teams due to the team's utilization of the country's national colors.[25]
Media coverage and public relations
Azerbaijan's home matches are presently covered by the public channel İTV.[26] 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match rights were held by AZTV and Idman Azerbaijan TV.[27]
AZTV, Idman Azerbaijan TV and Lider TV are among other networks that have previously shown live fixtures.[28]
Stadium
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Most of Azerbaijan's home matches are played at the new Baku National Stadium in Baku. It has been Azerbaijan's primary home stadium ever since the move from Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in 2015. Today, some qualifying matches and friendly matches are still hosted at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, whereas others are hosted at the Lankaran City Stadium, Bakcell Arena and Dalga Arena after it met UEFA stadium criteria.[29][30]
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup records
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Position | |
1930 to 1990 | Part of Soviet Union | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
1994 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
1998 | Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 22 | 5/5 | |||||||||
2002 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 6/6 | ||||||||||
2006 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 21 | 6/6 | ||||||||||
2010 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 5/6 | ||||||||||
2014 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 4/6 | ||||||||||
2018 | To be determined | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
Total | - | 48 | 4 | 13 | 31 | 19 | 85 | - |
UEFA European Championship records
UEFA European Championship record | UEFA Euro Championship qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Position | ||
1960 to 1992 | Part of Soviet Union | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
1996 | Did not qualify | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 29 | 6/6 | |||||||||
2000 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 26 | 5/6 | ||||||||||
2004 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 5/5 | ||||||||||
2008 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 28 | 8/8 | ||||||||||
2012 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 26 | 5/6 | ||||||||||
2016 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 18 | 5/6 | ||||||||||
Total | 0/15 | 60 | 6 | 9 | 45 | 36 | 157 | - |
UEFA Euro 2016
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group H
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Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Italy | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 24 | Qualify for final tournament | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | |
2 | Croatia[lower-alpha 1] | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 5 | +15 | 20 | 1–1 | — | 5–1 | 3–0 | 6–0 | 2–0 | ||
3 | Norway | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 19 | Advance to play-offs | 0–2 | 2–0 | — | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | |
4 | Bulgaria | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 12 | −3 | 11 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | ||
5 | Azerbaijan | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 18 | −11 | 6 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 2–0 | ||
6 | Malta | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 16 | −13 | 2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 2–2 | — |
- ↑ Croatia were deducted one point after charges for racist behaviour in the match against Italy at Stadion Poljud. In addition, the Croatian Football Federation were ordered to play their next two home matches of UEFA competition behind closed doors and not to play any of its remaining qualifying games at Poljud. A fine of €100,000 was also imposed.[31] The Croatian Football Federation appealed against the decision and a hearing was scheduled for 17 September 2015. Croatia's appeal was rejected.[32]
Players
Current squad
The following squad has been called for the Friendly Match against Moldova on November 17, 2015.
Caps and goals as November 17, 2015 after the game against Moldova.
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Recent call-ups
The following players have been called for the squad within the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Emil Balayev | April 17, 1994 | 0 | 0 | Eintracht Frankfurt | v. Norway, June 12, 2015 |
GK | Andrey Popoviç | March 4, 1992 | 2 | 0 | Gabala | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
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DF | Rashad Sadygov | June 16, 1982 | 101 | 4 | Qarabağ | v. Moldova, November 17, 2015 INJ |
DF | Ruslan Abışov | October 10, 1987 | 46 | 4 | Gabala | v. Moldova, November 17, 2015 INJ |
DF | Mahir Shukurov | December 12, 1983 | 76 | 4 | Unattached | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
DF | Rasim Ramaldanov | January 24, 1986 | 17 | 0 | Unattached | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
DF | Elvin Yunuszade | August 22, 1992 | 3 | 1 | Qarabağ | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
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MF | Dimitrij Nazarov | April 4, 1990 | 14 | 4 | Karlsruher SC | v. Moldova, November 17, 2015 INJ |
MF | Rashad Sadiqov | October 8, 1983 | 26 | 1 | Gabala | v. Bulgaria, October 10, 2015 |
MF | Eddy Israfilov | August 2, 1992 | 4 | 0 | Eibar | v. Bulgaria, October 10, 2015 |
MF | Javid Tagiyev | July 22, 1992 | 1 | 0 | Qarabağ | v. Italy, October 10, 2015 INJ |
MF | Araz Abdullayev | April 18, 1992 | 16 | 0 | Neftchi Baku | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
MF | Joshgun Diniyev | September 13, 1995 | 1 | 0 | Qarabağ | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
MF | Elvin Jamalov | February 4, 1995 | 0 | 0 | Gabala | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
MF | Seymur Asadov | May 5, 1994 | 0 | 0 | AZAL | v. Croatia, September 3, 2015 PRE |
MF | Javid Huseynov | March 9, 1988 | 45 | 2 | Gabala | v. Norway, June 12, 2015 |
MF | Namig Alasgarov | February 3, 1995 | 1 | 0 | Kapaz | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
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FW | Elnur Jafarov | March 28, 1997 | 1 | 0 | Khazar Lankaran | v. Bulgaria, October 10, 2015 |
FW | Magomed Kurbanov | April 11, 1992 | 3 | 0 | Neftchi Baku | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
FW | Rauf Aliyev | February 12, 1989 | 44 | 7 | Inter Baku | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
FW | Vüqar Nadirov | June 15, 1987 | 61 | 4 | Inter Baku | v. Malta, September 6, 2015 |
FW | Nurlan Novruzov | March 3, 1993 | 0 | 0 | Zira | v. Croatia, September 3, 2015 PRE |
FW | Vagif Javadov | May 25, 1989 | 58 | 9 | Sumgayit | v. Malta, March 28, 2015 |
|}
- INJ = Withdrew because of injury
- PRE = Preliminary squad
- RET = Retired from international football
Fixtures and results
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Recent results
Recent results within last 24 months and all known upcoming fixtures.
Managers
- As of 14 October 2015[33]
Manager | Azerbaijan career | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alakbar Mammadov | 1992–1993 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60 |
Kazbek Tuayev (caretaker) Agaselim Mirjavadov (caretaker) |
1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Agaselim Mirjavadov | 1994–1995 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0.00 |
Kazbek Tuayev | 1995–1996 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 27.27 |
Vagif Sadygov | 1997–1998 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 30 |
Ahmad Alaskarov | 1999–2000 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11.11 |
Asgar Abdullayev (caretaker) | 2000 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.00 |
Igor Ponomaryov | 2000–2001 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6.67 |
Kazbek Tuayev (caretaker) | 1995–1996 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Vagif Sadygov | 2002 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12.5 |
Asgar Abdullayev | 2002–2003 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11.11 |
Carlos Alberto Torres | 2004–2005 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 11.11 |
Vagif Sadygov (caretaker) | 2005 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.00 |
Shahin Diniyev | 2005–2007 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 20 |
Gjoko Hadžievski (caretaker) | 2007–2008 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 |
Nazim Suleymanov (caretaker) | 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Berti Vogts | 2008–2014 | 71 | 15 | 22 | 34 | 21.13 |
Mahmud Gurbanov (caretaker) | 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Robert Prosinečki | 2014– | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 14.29 |
Player statistics
Lists of the players with the most caps and top goalscorers for Azerbaijan, as of 10 October 2015 (players in bold are still available for selection):
Player | Period | Caps | Goals | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gurban Gurbanov | 1992–2005 | 68 | 14 |
2 | Vagif Javadov | 2006–present | 58 | 9 |
3 | Rauf Aliyev | 2010–present | 44 | 7 |
Branimir Subašić | 2007–2013 | 40 | 7 | |
Elvin Mammadov | 2008–present | 32 | 7 | |
6 | Zaur Tagizade | 1997–2008 | 40 | 6 |
7 | Vidadi Rzayev | 1992–2001 | 37 | 5 |
Farrukh Ismayilov | 1998–2007 | 35 | 5 | |
Nazim Suleymanov | 1992–1998 | 24 | 5 | |
10 | Rashad Sadygov | 2001–present | 101 | 4 |
Player | Period | Caps | Goals | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rashad Sadygov | 2001–present | 101 | 4 |
2 | Aslan Kerimov | 1994–2008 | 80 | 1 |
3 | Mahir Shukurov | 2004–present | 76 | 4 |
4 | Tarlan Ahmadov | 1992–2005 | 74 | 0 |
5 | Mahmud Gurbanov | 1994–2008 | 72 | 1 |
6 | Gurban Gurbanov | 1992–2005 | 68 | 14 |
7 | Emin Agayev | 1992–2005 | 65 | 1 |
8 | Vüqar Nadirov | 2004–present | 61 | 4 |
9 | Vagif Javadov | 2006–present | 58 | 9 |
10 | Kamran Aghayev | 2008–present | 57 | 0 |
See also
- Azerbaijan national under-21 football team
- Azerbaijan national under-20 football team
- Azerbaijan national under-19 football team
- Azerbaijan national under-18 football team
- Azerbaijan national under-17 football team
- Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan Premier League
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 World Football Elo Ratings: Azerbaijan
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Д. М. Векилов. Участие Азербайджанской ССР в развитии советско-иранских торгово-экономических и культурных связей в 20—30-х годах // Известия Академии наук Азербайджанской ССР. — 1986. — С. 41.
- ↑ Azərbaycan futbolunun bir əsrlik tarixindən səhifələr
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Euro 2008 homepage, UEFA
- ↑ FIFA World Cup News and Features, UEFA
- ↑ fifa.com: Vogts' contract extended
- ↑ Фогтс увидел перспективу (Russian)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Матч Азербайджан-Финляндия пройдет в Лянкяране (Russian)
- ↑ Milli komandamız yenidən Lənkəran stadionunda (Azerbaijani)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Azerbaijan national football team. |
- Azerbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası
- azerifootball.com (Russian)
- Archive of international results 1979–2004 from Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
- UEFA match report on the first away win
- national-football-teams
- Azerisport
- Day.az
- Complete List of teams and results
- Articles with dead external links from September 2010
- Articles with Russian-language external links
- Articles with Azerbaijani-language external links
- Articles containing Azerbaijani-language text
- Articles with hCards
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Azerbaijan national football team
- European national association football teams
- Football in Azerbaijan
- National sports teams of Azerbaijan