Former coach says football is declining in Azerbaijan and Lithuania

Former Lithuania national team head coach Algimantas Lyubinskas said football is declining in Azerbaijan and Lithuania. He made the remarks ahead of a match between veterans of Neftchi and Spartak Vilnius marking the 75th anniversary of the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.

Lyubinskas recalled that he first came to Baku in 1983 as coach of Zalgiris. He said the weather was good at the time, but his team lost. The Lithuanian coach also noted that the team played in the top division in 1984.

“Football in Azerbaijan was at a high level at the time. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Today, both Azerbaijan and Lithuania are competing in the bottom group. Your city has changed for the better, but football is declining both in your country and ours. We are heading toward the bottom. There is no reason to be pleased about that. We can only take pleasure in matches like these friendlies,” Lyubinskas said.

The veterans’ match brings together former players from clubs in Azerbaijan and Lithuania to mark the stadium anniversary. The Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium is one of Azerbaijan’s best-known football venues and has hosted domestic and international matches.