Neftçi PFK

Neftçi
Full name Neftçi Peşəkar Futbol Klubu
Nickname(s) Flaqman (Flagship)
Neftçilər (Oil Workers)
"Xalq komandası" (The People's Team)
Short name Neftchi
Founded 18 March 1937 (1937-03-18)
Ground Bakcell Arena
Capacity 11,000
President Kamran Guliyev
Head Coach Roberto Bordin
League Azerbaijan Premier League
2017–18 3rd
Website Club website

Neftçi PFC Bakı (Azerbaijani: Neftçi Peşəkar Futbol Klubu), commonly known as Neftchi or Neftçi, is an Azerbaijani football club based in the capital, Baku, that currently plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League.

Founded in 1937, the club has won eight Azerbaijan Premier League titles, six Azerbaijan Cups and two Azerbaijan Supercup titles. The club is one of the two teams in Azerbaijan, along with Qarabağ, which has participated in all Azerbaijan Premier League championships so far.[1]

In 2012, Neftçi became the first Azerbaijani club to advance to the group stage of a European competition after defeating APOEL 4–2 on aggregate in the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League.[2][3] Neftçi plays its matches at the Bakcell Arena.

History

Soviet era (1937–1991)

Neftchi were founded in 1937.[4] The name means "petroleum worker" in Azerbaijani.

World-famous referee Tofiq Bahramov originally played for Neftchi but a serious leg injury prevented him from continuing his playing career and he became a referee.[5]

Domestic hegemony (1991–2012)

Flavinho is Neftchi's first foreign captain.

They won the first independent Azeri championship in 1992, and then won further titles in 1995–96 and 1996–97.[6]

In 2006, Neftchi managed to win the CIS Cup after defeating FBK Kaunas of Lithuania in the final.[7] In European competitions, the club also have advanced to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League twice, having defeated Bosnian champions – Široki Brijeg – and Icelandic champions – FH Hafnarfjarðar – in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

A long period of decline followed the success of the 2005 to the end of the decade. Despite the appointment of famous names such as Gurban Gurbanov, Vlastimil Petržela, Anatoliy Demyanenko and Hans-Jürgen Gede, the club did not achieve any success and squandered large sums of money on unsuccessful signings.[8]

Prospects changed positively in December 2009 when the club's control was given to Sadıq Sadıqov. The takeover was immediately followed by a flurry of bids for high-profile international players such as Bahodir Nasimov, Nicolás Canales, Flavinho, Bruno Bertucci, Eric Ramos, Igor Mitreski and Julius Wobay.[9]

In May 2011, coached by Arif Asadov, the club won its sixth championship title.[10][11] Asadov also become first person in Azerbaijan to win the league title as a coach and football player.[12]

In the 2011–12 season, Boyukagha Hajiyev guided Neftchi to another domestic success as club become champions for seventh time in their history.[13][14] In November 2011, Neftchi celebrated its 1,000th victory in official matches and its 1,000th goal, scored by Araz Abdullayev.[15]

European breakthrough (2012–present)

Neftchi in Europa League before the match with Internazionale in 2012.

In 2012, Neftchi qualified for the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League group stage, being the first Azerbaijani team to advance to this stage in a European competition. Neftchi managed to get three points in six matches, drawing with Partizan both times and holding Internazionale away at the San Siro.[16][17]

A third consecutive Premier League title followed in 2012–13.[18] Neftchi then won the Azerbaijan Cup on 28 May 2013 to secure the domestic double.[19][20] Following Neftchi's early exit from European cups, Boyukagha Hajiyev resigned from his post.[21][22] Following defeat at 2013 Azerbaijan Supercup, Nazim Suleymanov was appointed as Neftchi's new manager after Tarlan Ahmadov was sacked just three months in charge.[23] On 8 January 2014, Suleymanov resigned as manager after a transfer fund dispute.[24][25] In May 2014, despite finishing fourth, Neftchi managed to win Azerbaijan Cup.[26] In August 2014, the club reached Europa League play off round after defeating Chikhura Sachkhere on aggregate.[27]

On 2 November 2014, Neftchi club president Sadygov stated that the club was experiencing financial difficulties.[28] In 2015, it was announced that the club would become a public limited company – Neftchi PLC, while the club's new president would be Chingiz Abdullayev.[29]

On 8 June 2018, Roberto Bordin was announced as Neftçi's new manager on a two-year contract.[30]

Crest and colours

Neftchi's crests during its history

Neftchi's traditional kit was composed of black shirts, white shorts and socks of the same colour. Although through the years these two have gone from alternating between white and black stripes. [31]

Shirt sponsors and kit manufacturers

Years Manufacturer Sponsor
1994–1996 Azerbaijan Local Azerbaijan RIAD
1996–2001 Germany Adidas Azerbaijan Baku Oil Refinery Plant
2003–2004 Turkey Stadium Azerbaijan Baku Oil Refinery Plant
2004–2007 Italy Lotto Sport Italia Azerbaijan SOCAR
2007–2015 Germany Adidas Azerbaijan SOCAR
2015–2016 Germany Adidas Azerbaijan ASAN service
2016–2017 Italy Kappa Azerbaijan ASAN service
2017–2018 Italy Kappa
2018–present United States Nike

Grounds

Neftchi's home matches are usually played at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku. Built by German prisoners of war in 1951 and constructed in the shape of a "C" to honour Joseph Stalin, it was renamed after famous football referee Tofiq Bahramov in 1993 after his death.[32] The stadium also serves as the home ground of the Azerbaijan national football team and holds 31,200 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the country.[33]

Neftchi's current home venue is the 11,000 capacity Bakcell Arena. It has been the club's home since the 2012–13 season.

Supporters

Neftchi fans at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium

Neftchi Baku is one of the most supported club in Azerbaijan, with supporters organized in many fan clubs around the world, including the United States, Turkey, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands and any other country with a sizeable Azerbaijani community. In the 2010s, although Neftchi improved its position, the average attendance fell to record low levels.[34]

The club's most popular celebrity supporters are the likes of actors Bahram Bagirzade, Bashir Safaroglu and Lutfali Abdullayev, composers Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov and Niyazi, judoka Ilham Zakiyev and scientist Mirali Qashqai.[35][36][37]

Rivalry with Khazar Lankaran

Matches between Neftchi and Khazar Lankaran are some of the biggest clashes in Azerbaijan. The relationship between the two clubs has always been known for its great animosity, as the classic opposes two geographic regions – with Neftchi and Khazar Lankaran representing the north and south of Azerbaijan, respectively.[38]

Domestic league and cup history

Season Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup Europe Top Scorer (League goals) Head Coach
1992APL13630241042362QF-Azerbaijan Alakbarov (36)Azerbaijan Alaskarov
Azerbaijan Kramarenko
19935181152391127QF-Azerbaijan Alakbarov (16)Azerbaijan Sadygov
1993–9483011712371129QF-Azerbaijan Alakbarov (12)Azerbaijan Sadygov
1994–953241743671538W-Azerbaijan Aliyev (26)Azerbaijan Sadygov
1995–961201163421739WWCQual.Azerbaijan Aliyev (16)Azerbaijan Sadygov
Azerbaijan Tuaev
1996–971302352982074QFUCQual.Azerbaijan Gurbanov (34)Azerbaijan Tuaev
1997–986261349432343SFCLQual.Azerbaijan Gurbanov (9)Azerbaijan Tuaev
1998–993261544571852W-Ukraine Kalfa (15)Azerbaijan Tuaev
1999-003221345351743SFUCQual.Azerbaijan Vasilyev (8)Azerbaijan Alaskarov
2000–012201631571151RUUCQual.Azerbaijan Ismayilov (11)Azerbaijan Namazov
Azerbaijan O. Abdullayev
Azerbaijan Ozbakov
2001–02322135434744-UCQual.Azerbaijan Gurbanov (9)Azerbaijan Tuaev
2003–041262231661569W-Azerbaijan Vasilyev (17)Azerbaijan Tuaev
2004–051342464521878QFCLQual.Azerbaijan Tagizade (14)Azerbaijan Mirjavadov
2005–063261592511654SFCLQual.Azerbaijan Nabiyev (12)Azerbaijan Mirjavadov
2006–072241734471544SF-Georgia (country) Adamia (10)Azerbaijan Gurbanov
2007–086261673421855SFUCQual.Azerbaijan Subašić (14)Czech Republic Petržela
Ukraine Demyanenko
2008–09826998302136QFICR3Romania Neaga (5)Ukraine Demyanenko
Germany Gede
Azerbaijan Aghayev
2009–10542131910312658QF-Romania Neaga (11)Azerbaijan Sadygov
2010–1113219103531767QF-Uzbekistan Nasimov (15)Azerbaijan Asadov
2011–121322039553063RUCLQual.Uzbekistan Nasimov (16)Azerbaijan Hajiyev
2012–131321958593262WCL
EL		Qual.
GS		Chile Canales (26)Azerbaijan Hajiyev
2013–1443617910484260WCLQual.Uzbekistan Nasimov (7)Azerbaijan Ahmadov
Azerbaijan Suleymanov
Azerbaijan Hajiyev
2014–1543213109383349RUELPOChile Canales (11)Azerbaijan Hajiyev
Azerbaijan Asadov
2015–16636131013414149RUELQual.Azerbaijan Qurbanov (13)Azerbaijan Aliyev
Azerbaijan A. Abdullayev
Azerbaijan Gasimov
2016–177289217244529SFELQual.Spain Lucas (4)Azerbaijan Gasimov
Azerbaijan E. Abdullayev
2017–1832814410392846SF--Chile Herrera (8)Azerbaijan E. Abdullayev
Azerbaijan Ahmedov (Caretaker)
Azerbaijan Ahmadov

European record

As of 13 July 2018
Competition MatchesWDLGFGA
UEFA Champions League 185581432
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 3289153549
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 201103
UEFA Intertoto Cup 631277
Total 581616265691

Matches[39]

Players

Current squad

As of 4 August 2018[40]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Azerbaijan GK Salahat Aghayev
4 Azerbaijan MF Rashad Eyyubov
5 Azerbaijan DF Anton Krivotsyuk
6 Croatia MF Goran Paracki
7 Azerbaijan MF Namik Alaskarov
8 Azerbaijan MF Emin Mahmudov (vice-captain)
9 France FW Bagaliy Dabo
10 Brazil MF Dário Júnior
11 Ghana FW Kwame Karikari
12 Azerbaijan GK Kamran Ibrahimov
15 Azerbaijan DF Ruslan Abışov (captain)
No. Position Player
17 Azerbaijan MF Rahman Hajiyev
18 Azerbaijan DF Tural Akhundov
21 Azerbaijan DF Mahammad Mirzabeyov
22 Azerbaijan FW Mirabdulla Abbasov
25 Ukraine DF Kyrylo Petrov
26 Azerbaijan DF Omar Buludov
28 Croatia DF Slavko Bralić
77 Azerbaijan DF Elvin Sarkarov
93 Haiti MF Soni Mustivar
94 Azerbaijan GK Rashad Azizli

For recent transfers, see Transfers summer 2018.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Azerbaijan DF Tayyar Mammadov (at Sabah)
Azerbaijan MF Orkhan Gurbanli (at Sabail)
Azerbaijan MF Fahmin Muradbayli (at Sabail)

Reserve team

Neftçi-2 plays in the Azerbaijan First Division from 2018.

Club officials

Boyukagha Hajiyev is one of club's most successful managers, having won two titles and two national cups

Management & Supervisory Board

Position Staff
PresidentAzerbaijan Kamran Guliyev
Vice presidentAzerbaijan Elnur Eyvazov
Head of Supervisory BoardAzerbaijan Chingiz Abdullayev
Board MemberAzerbaijan Samad Gurbanov
Azerbaijan Jabrail Jabrailov
Azerbaijan Zaur Gahramanov
Azerbaijan Farhad Badalbeyli
Azerbaijan Mehdi Najafov
Financial directorAzerbaijan Gadim Asgarli
Director of sportAzerbaijan Jeyhun Sultanov
Director of youth academyEngland Mick Bennett
Coordinator of youth academyAzerbaijan Asif Safarov
Team managerAzerbaijan Gadir Hasanov
Press secretaryAzerbaijan Rustam Allahverdiyev

Coaching staff

Position Staff
ManagerItaly Roberto Bordin
Assistant coachAzerbaijan Igor Getman
Azerbaijan Fuzuli Mammadov
Goalkeeper coachAzerbaijan Etibar Tariverdiyev
Fitness coachItaly Andrea Vezzu
Reserve team head coachAzerbaijan Mahmud Qurbanov
Under-19 head coachAzerbaijan Mushfig Gambarov
Under-17 head coachAzerbaijan Farrukh Ismayilov
Under-16 head coachAzerbaijan Mirbaghir Isayev

Medical staff

Position Staff
Club doctorAzerbaijan Shaig Zohrabli
Assistant doctorMoldova Gennadi Chislari
PhysiotherapistAzerbaijan Rasim Gadmaliyev
Azerbaijan Rovshan Ismayilov
MasseurAzerbaijan Zakir Guliyev
Azerbaijan Aziz Salmanov

Presidential history

Neftchi has had numerous presidents over the course of its history, some of whom have been owners of the club while others have been honorary presidents. In 1988, Neftchi had registered as a professional football club and club since then had eight presidents. Neftchi has been linked with current Benevento Calcio Chairman Slavi Bachev. A lucrative contract has been proposed, including, but not limited to, an Uzbek goat, as part of the deal.

 
Name Years
Aydin Ibrahimov 1988–97
Agil Pashayev 1997–01
Ramiz Mirzayev 2001–03
Rovnag Abdullayev 2004–08
Akbar Hajiyev 2008–10
Sadyg Sadygov 2010–15
Chingiz Abdullayev 2015–17
Orkhan Huseynzade 2017–2018
Kamran Guliyev 2018–

Managers

Honours

Source:[41]

Winners (8) : 1992, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Runners-up (2) : 2000–01, 2006–07
Winners (6) : 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2012–13, 2013–14
Runners-up (4) : 2000–01, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16
Winners (2) : 1993, 1995
Runners-up (1) : 2013

A number of television programmes have included references to Neftchi over the past few decades. In the sitcom Aramizda Galsin, the character Aslan is a Neftchi supporter.[42] Neftchi have also featured on several occasions in meykhana.[43][44]

References

  1. ↑ ""Neftçi" PFK-nın nailiyyətləri". neftchipfk.com (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "Нефтчи" стал первым азербайджанским футбольным клубом, вышедшим в групповой этап еврокубков – ФОТО. 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  3. ↑ ЦСКА вылетел из еврокубков. UEFA (in Russian). uefa.com. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Neftçi PFC Baki". Soccerway. Perform. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Сын Тофика Бахрамова рассказал о своем отце (Интервью). Azerifootball.com (in Russian). Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Erlan Manasche and Karel Stokkermans (29 October 2015). "Azerbaijan- List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Скандал на Кубке Содружества: чемпионы Армении отказались играть с азербайджанцами (Scandal at the CIS Cup: The champions of Armenia refused to play the Azerbaijanis)" (in Russian). NewsRU.com. 19 January 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  8. ↑ Aliyev, Elmir. "Вице-президент "Нефтчи": "Ханс-Юрген Геде хотел нас "кинуть""". Day.az. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "Sabah futbol üzrə Azərbaycan milli çempionatı başlayır". Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Ibrahimov, Erkin. "Neftçi take title honours in Azerbaijan". UEFA. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "Neftchi are Azerbaijani champions". News.az.
  12. ↑ "Arif Əsədov Azərbaycan futbolu tarixinə düşdü". Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  13. ↑ Ibragimov, Erkin. "Neftçi take honours in Azerbaijan". UEFA. uefa.com. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  14. ↑ Нефтчи – чемпион второй год подряд. Azerifootball.com (in Russian). Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  15. ↑ "2011-ci ilin sirrini APASPORT açdı – EKSKLÜZİV – STATİSTİKA". APASPORT.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Neftçi claim creditable draw at Inter". UEFA. uefa.com. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Neftçi hold Partizan on group stage debut". UEFA. uefa.com. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Three in a row for Azerbaijani champions Neftçi". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  19. ↑ Нефтчи в пятый раз завоевал Кубок страны (ОБНОВЛЕНО). Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  20. ↑ Atayev, Oktay. "Нефтчи" выиграл кубок. uefa.com (in Russian). UEFA. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  21. ↑ "Skënderbeu strike late to end Neftçi resistance". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  22. ↑ Беюкага Гаджиев ушел с поста главного тренера "Нефтчи". News.rambler.ru (in Russian). Rambler (portal). Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  23. ↑ Назим Сулейманов возглавил "Нефтчи". Zerkalo.az (in Russian). Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  24. ↑ Назим СУЛЕЙМАНОВ: Мне не позволили усилить Нефтчи. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  25. ↑ "Nazim Süleymanovun istefasının təfərrüatı BİZDƏ – AÇIQLAMA". futbol11.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  26. ↑ Нефтчи в шестой раз завладел Кубком Азербайджана. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Заря" восходит, Одесса тонет. ru.uefa.com (in Russian). UEFA. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "Sadıq Sadıqov "Neftçi"də maliyyə problemlərinin olduğunu etiraf etdi". rekord.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "Чингиз Абдуллаев, Бахрам Багирзаде, Садых Садыхов и другие — в наблюдательном совете Нефтчи". www.azerisport.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  30. ↑ "Roberto Bordin 2 illik anlaşmaya imza atdı (FOTOLAR, VİDEO)". neftchipfk.com (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  31. ↑ Так, кто же ты, Нефтчи?. Day.az (in Russian). Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  32. ↑ Наш соперник: сборная Азербайджана Archived 2 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine. (in Russian)
  33. ↑ В столице Азербайджана будет построен 60-тысячный стадион (in Russian)
  34. ↑ Кому нужен азербайджанский футбол?. Sport.day.az (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "Cüdo üzrə ikiqat paralimpiya çempionu İlham Zəkiyev də "Neftçi"yə dəstək oldu". www.olimpiya.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "Keçmişə Salam 08.04.2013". ANS TV (in Azerbaijani). 8 April 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  37. ↑ Дело – за первой сборной. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  38. ↑ Раиль МЕЛИКОВ: «Это главное дерби Азербайджана и его невозможно сравнить с другим матчем»(in Russian)
  39. ↑ "Neftçi PFK – History". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  40. ↑ http://neftchipfk.com/az/team_9/
  41. ↑ "Neftçi PFC Baki: Trophies". Soccerway. Perform. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  42. ↑ ""Aramızda qalsın"da "Böyük oyun" həyəcanı – VİDEO". korner.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  43. ↑ "Meyxanaçılar "Neftçi" – "Araz" haqda meyxana dedi". stadium.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  44. ↑ "Мастера мейханы снова поддержали Нефтчи (ФОТО)". www.azerifootball.com (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 9 November 2014.

Further reading

  • Wilson, Jonathan (2006). Behind the Curtain: Football in Eastern Europe: Travels in Eastern European Football. Orion. ISBN 0752879456.
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