Azerbaijan national football team

Azerbaijan
Nickname(s) Milli (The National Team)
Association AFFA
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Gurban Gurbanov
Captain Kamran Aghayev
Most caps Rashad Sadygov (111)
Top scorer Gurban Gurbanov (14)
Home stadium Baku Olympic Stadium
FIFA code AZE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 108 Decrease 3 (20 September 2018)
Highest 73 (July 2014)
Lowest 170 (June 1994)
Elo ranking
Current 101 Increase 6 (11 October 2018)
Highest 51 (28 June 1928)
Lowest 152 (2 June 2001)
First international
 Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan 
(Gurjaani, Georgia; 17 September 1992)[1][2]
Biggest win
 Azerbaijan 4–0 Liechtenstein 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 5 June 1999)
 Azerbaijan 5–1 San Marino 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 4 September 2017)
Biggest defeat
 France 10–0 Azerbaijan 
(Auxerre, France; 6 September 1995)[1]

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 Olympic 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.

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

Azerbaijani squad in 2008.

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 defeat second-string sides. Vogts faced major criticism, protest and demonstration from local supporters and the media.[19][20] However, Azerbaijan managed to finish qualification cycle in fourth place, the 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 resigned from his post after spending six years in charge of Azerbaijan.[23][24]

Succeeding Vogts as full-time manager was former Croatia international Robert Prosinečki. He guided the Azeri team to another record points haul (10) in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, but the team still finished fifth in the six-team Group C. Prosinečki resigned after deciding not to extend his contract with the Azerbaijan football federation.

Team image

Colours

Azerbaijan national football team in October 2013.

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 2017, Azerbaijan's kit have been supplied by Nike. They took over from Puma who were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2004 and 2006. Before that Umbro were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2002 and 2004.

Nickname

Azerbaijan is often referred to by the media and supporters as Milli (The National), 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 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

Baku Olympic Stadium

Most of Azerbaijan's home matches are played at the new Baku Olympic 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 record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
Uruguay 1930 to Italy 1990 Part of  Soviet Union-------
United States 1994 Did not enter-------
France 1998 Did not qualify81073225/5
South Korea Japan 2002 101274176/6
Germany 2006 100371216/6
South Africa 2010 101274145/6
Brazil 2014 101637114/6
Russia 2018 1031610195/6
Qatar 2022 To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026
Total 587143729104-

UEFA European Championship record

UEFA European Championship record UEFA European Championship qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
France 1960 to Sweden 1992 Part of  Soviet Union-------
England 1996 Did not qualify 10 0 1 9 2 29 6/6
Belgium Netherlands 2000 10 1 1 8 6 26 5/6
Portugal 2004 8 1 1 6 5 20 5/5
Austria Switzerland 2008 12 1 2 9 6 28 8/8
Poland Ukraine 2012 10 2 1 7 10 26 5/6
France 2016 10 1 3 6 7 18 5/6
Europe 2020 To be determined
Germany 2024
Total 60 6 9 45 36 147 -

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group C

{{2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group C table |show_matches=yes}}

2018–19 UEFA Nations League & Euro 2020 qualifiers

In the first edition of the UEFA Nations League, Azerbaijan will be playing in the League D, the fourth and lowest division of that competition.[31]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion Kosovo Azerbaijan Faroe Islands Malta
1  Kosovo 4 2 2 0 6 2 +4 8 Promotion to League C — 20 Nov 2–0 3–1
2  Azerbaijan 4 1 3 0 5 2 +3 6 0–0 — 17 Nov 1–1
3  Faroe Islands 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3 4 1–1 0–3 — 3–1
4  Malta 4 0 2 2 4 8 −4 2 17 Nov 1–1 20 Nov —
Updated to match(es) played on 14 October 2018. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Fixtures and results

For all past match results of the national team, see single-season articles and the team's results page

2017

2018

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up for the UEFA Nations League matches against Faroe Islands and Malta on 11 and 14 October 2018.[32]
Caps and goals as of 11 October 2018 after the match against Faroe Islands.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kamran Aghayev (C) (1986-02-09) 9 February 1986 77 0 Azerbaijan Keşla
12 1GK Shahruddin Mahammadaliyev (1994-06-22) 22 June 1994 0 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
23 1GK Salahat Aghayev (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 12 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi
3 2DF Urfan Abbasov (1992-10-14) 14 October 1992 9 1 Azerbaijan Gabala
4 2DF Pavel Pashayev (1988-01-04) 4 January 1988 14 0 Ukraine Oleksandriya
5 2DF Maksim Medvedev (1989-09-29) 29 September 1989 51 3 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
6 2DF Bakhtiyar Hasanalizade (1992-12-29) 29 December 1992 0 0 Azerbaijan Sumgayit
18 2DF Mahammad Mirzabeyov (1990-11-16) 16 November 1990 18 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi
19 2DF Rahil Mammadov (1995-11-24) 24 November 1995 5 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
21 2DF Tamkin Khalilzade (1993-08-06) 6 August 1993 7 1 Azerbaijan Gabala
22 2DF Badavi Huseynov (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 38 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
2 3MF Gara Garayev (1992-10-12) 12 October 1992 43 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
7 3MF Araz Abdullayev (1992-04-18) 18 April 1992 28 2 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
8 3MF Emin Mahmudov (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 9 1 Azerbaijan Neftçi
9 3MF Namik Alaskarov (1995-02-03) 3 February 1995 15 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi
13 3MF Dimitrij Nazarov (1990-04-04) 4 April 1990 34 7 Germany Erzgebirge Aue
14 3MF Rahid Amirguliyev (1989-09-01) 1 September 1989 60 3 Azerbaijan Sabail
15 3MF Javid Imamverdiyev (1990-08-01) 1 August 1990 9 1 Azerbaijan Sabah
20 3MF Richard Almeida (1989-03-20) 20 March 1989 11 3 Kazakhstan Astana
10 4FW Ruslan Qurbanov (1991-09-12) 12 September 1991 25 1 Azerbaijan Sabail
11 4FW Ramil Sheydayev (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 16 1 Russia Krylia Sovetov
16 4FW Rufat Dadashov (1991-09-29) 29 September 1991 17 4 Germany Preußen Münster
17 4FW Mahir Madatov (1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 10 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Azerbaijan squad within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Emil Balayev (1994-04-17) 17 April 1994 0 0 Azerbaijan Sabail v.  Malta, 10 September 2018
GK Anar Nazirov (1985-09-08) 8 September 1985 4 0 Azerbaijan Zira v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
GK Rashad Azizli (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 0 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018
DF Ruslan Abışov (1987-10-10) 10 October 1987 56 4 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
DF Ilgar Gurbanov (1986-04-25) 25 April 1986 30 1 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
DF Ufuk Budak (1990-05-26) 26 May 1990 17 0 Turkey Boluspor v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
DF Slavik Alkhasov (1993-02-06) 6 February 1993 0 0 Azerbaijan Keşla v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
DF Tural Akhundov (1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 2 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018
DF Shahriyar Rahimov (1989-04-06) 6 April 1989 1 0 Azerbaijan Sabail v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018
DF Elvin Yunuszade (1992-08-22) 22 August 1992 3 1 Unattached v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018 PRE
DF Abbas Huseynov (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 1 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ v.  Moldova, 30 January 2018
DF Anton Krivotsyuk (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 0 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Moldova, 30 January 2018
DF Bahlul Mustafazade (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 0 0 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Moldova, 30 January 2018
MF Javid Huseynov (1988-03-09) 9 March 1988 54 2 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Malta, 10 September 2018
MF Joshgun Diniyev (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 8 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ v.  Malta, 10 September 2018
MF Rahman Hajiyev (1993-07-25) 25 July 1993 7 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Malta, 10 September 2018
MF Rashad Eyyubov (1992-12-03) 3 December 1992 3 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018
MF Asif Mammadov (1986-08-05) 5 August 1986 1 0 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Macedonia, 27 March 2018
MF Afran Ismayilov (1988-10-08) 8 October 1988 39 5 Azerbaijan Sumgayit v.  Moldova, 30 January 2018
FW Rauf Aliyev (1989-02-12) 12 February 1989 46 7 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Malta, 10 September 2018
FW Amil Yunanov (1993-01-06) 6 January 1993 4 0 Azerbaijan Keşla v.  Latvia, 9 June 2018
Notes
  • INJ = Not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad
  • RET = Retired from international football.

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Azerbaijan Gurban Gurbanov
Assistant coach Azerbaijan Elchin Rahmanov
Goalkeeping coach Azerbaijan Dmitry Kramarenko
Fitness coach Bulgaria Chudomir Chakarov

All time record against other states

Managers

Under Berti Vogts, Azerbaijan reached its highest position ever in FIFA World Rankings
As of 11 October 2018[33]

Player statistics

Lists of the players with the most caps and top goalscorers for Azerbaijan, as of 30 January 2018 (players in bold are still available for selection):

Gurban Gurbanov is all-time leading goalscorer and current head coach of Azerbaijan national team.
Ten goalscorers with most goals[34]
Player Period Caps Goals
1 Gurban Gurbanov 1992–2005 68 14
2 Vagif Javadov 2006–present 58 9
3 Dimitrij Nazarov 2014–present 34 7
4 Elvin Mammadov 2008–present 37 7
5 Branimir Subašić 2007–2013 40 7
6 Rauf Aliyev 2010–present 46 7
7 Zaur Tagizade 1997–2008 40 6
8 Nazim Suleymanov 1992–1998 24 5
9 Farrukh Ismayilov 1998–2007 34 5
10 Afran Ismayilov 2010–present 39 5
Rashad Sadygov is the most capped player of Azerbaijan's international matches.
Ten players with most appearances[34]
Player Period Caps Goals
1 Rashad Sadygov 2001–2017 111 5
2 Aslan Kerimov 1994–2008 80 0
3 Kamran Aghayev 2008–present 77 0
4 Mahir Shukurov 2004–2015 76 4
5 Mahmud Gurbanov 1994–2008 75 1
6 Tarlan Ahmadov 1992–2005 75 0
7 Gurban Gurbanov 1992–2005 68 14
8 Emin Agayev 1992–2005 65 1
9 Vüqar Nadirov 2004–present 61 4
10 Rahid Amirguliyev 2007–present 60 3

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Puma 1996–1999
Diadora		 2000–2001
Umbro		 2002–2003
Puma 2004–2005
Umbro		 2006–2017
Nike		 2017–present

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 World Football Elo Ratings: Azerbaijan
  2. ↑ "Pride in defeat on debut day". UEFA.com. 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  3. ↑ "Football". Azerbaijans.az. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Azərbaycan futbolunun bir əsrlik tarixindən səhifələr
  6. ↑ Ibragimov, Erkin. "History: 1992". AzeriFootball.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  7. ↑ Ibragimov, Erkin. "History: 1993". AzeriFootball.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  8. ↑ Stokkermans, Karel (2000-01-18). "European Championship 1996". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 7 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  9. ↑ Это не те немцы. И футбол они дают неправильный. azerifootball.com (in Russian). Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Euro 2008 homepage Archived February 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine., UEFA
  11. ↑ FIFA World Cup News and Features Archived April 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., UEFA
  12. ↑ fifa.com: Vogts' contract extended
  13. ↑ Фогтс увидел перспективу (in Russian)
  14. ↑ "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: Azerbaijan". FIFA. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  15. ↑ "Azərbaycan yığması FİFA reytinqində rekord pilləyə yüksəlib". antenn.az. Archived from the original on 2010-12-12. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  16. ↑ "Qələbə, qisas və 1 gündə daha 2 rekord – YENİLƏNİB". apasport.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  17. ↑ "Azerbaijan beat Kazakhstan to set points record". news.az. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  18. ↑ Aliyev, Elmir. Определилась судьба Берти Фогтса в сборной Азербайджана. 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  19. ↑ Кто тут "карлик"?. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  20. ↑ "Futbolumuz sürətlə inkişaf edir!!!". Fanat.az. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  21. ↑ "Russia secure point to book finals place". www.uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "Vogts gets new Azerbaijan mandate". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "Vogts leaves Azerbaijan post". www.football-italia.net. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "Vogts quits Azerbaijan helm". www.uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  25. ↑ Sobolev, Ilya. В Россию на заработки. Rg.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  26. ↑ "Millinin oyunları AZTV və "İdman Azərbaycan"ın əlindən alındı və kimə verildi?". rekord.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  27. ↑ "UEFA yeni qərar qəbul etdi: qurum millimizin oyunlarını AzTV-dən alıb, İTV-yə verdi". korner.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "UEFA millimizin oyunlarını AzTV-dən alıb, İTV-yə verdi". apasport.az. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  29. ↑ Матч Азербайджан-Финляндия пройдет в Лянкяране (in Russian)
  30. ↑ Milli komandamız yenidən Lənkəran stadionunda (in Azerbaijani)
  31. ↑ "Azerbaijan is in the 3rd group". affa.az. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  32. ↑ "Azerbaijan's squad for 2 matches" (in Azerbaijani). AFFA. 6 October 2018.
  33. ↑ "Azerbaijan Coach Stats". eu-football.info. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  34. 1 2 "Azerbaijan NT Top Stats". eu-football.info. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
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