Garabagh FC wins Azerbaijan Cup
By Rashid Shirinov
The final match of the 2015-16 Azerbaijan Cup took place on May 25 between Garabagh FC from Aghdam and Neftchi FC from Baku. The game ended with the victory of Garabagh FC, 1-0.
The match, controlled by referee Fariz Yusifov, started at 20:00 local time and lasted for 2 hours. In spite of countless attempts, neither Garabagh nor Neftchi could open the score within 90 minutes.
Extra time also kept the teams and their fans in tension. However, the match did not end up in penalties -- the first and only goal of the match was scored by Michel, central midfielder of Garabagh FC, in 120, the last minute of extra time.
Thus, Garabakh FC repeated its last year Golden Double result of becoming both the winner of Azerbaijani Premier League and Cup. The last-year final game was also against Neftchi and ended 3-1 with the victory of Garabag FC.
After the match, Gurban Gurbanov, the coach of Garabag FC, told journalists: “I think that the Azerbaijani football won today. I expected that it will be a very tough game. Neftchi was also worthy of success. They chose the right tactics, but, apparently, we were destined to win.”
The award ceremony was attended by President of AFFA Rovnag Abdullayev and President of the Professional Football League Ramin Musayev. Rovnag Abdullayev presented the Cup to Rashad Sadigov, captain of Garabagh FC.
“It was a great and very interesting game. The advantage was slightly on the side of Garabagh and Neftchi fought the good fight. I think the result was on the game. I congratulate Garabagh with the victory,” Rovnag Abdullayev said.
Overall, Neftchi FC is the sevenfold winner of the Azerbaijani Cup, while Garabakh achieved it only five times. Due to the two clubs’ competition, they attract the interest of Azerbaijani fans every year.
Moreover, Garabagh FC had guaranteed in advance its victory in 2015-16 Premier League, finishing it with 84 points.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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