Azerbaijan has emerged as the winner of the international tournament, demonstrating resilience in a high-stakes final.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Ayxan Abbasov, the head coach of the Azerbaijan national team, made these remarks during a press conference following their victory over Sierra Leone in the final of the "FIFA Series-2026" tournament (1:1, pen. 9:8).
The head coach noted that while the team made certain errors in the first half and struggled to finalize attacks, the tactical adjustments made after the break proved effective. "After the opponent opened the scoring, they began playing more cautiously in defense. However, the changes we implemented in the second half yielded results, allowing us to equalize. Fans have not witnessed such an exciting match in a long time. We must continue our work to better prepare for the Nations League. The players maintained their composure during the penalty shootout, which was a valuable experience for us," Abbasov stated.
The FIFA Series is a newly introduced initiative by world football's governing body, designed to provide national teams from different confederations with the opportunity to compete in friendly matches during the international match calendar. For Azerbaijan, this victory serves as a significant morale booster ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. The tournament, hosted in Baku, aims to foster international cooperation and provide competitive experience for teams outside of traditional continental championships.
