Qurbanov: No one wins easily

Qarabag head coach Qurban Qurbanov spoke about his team’s preparations after a 3-1 friendly win over Zira. He described the match as interesting and said he had been unable to use all the players.

Qurbanov said the players who were available had been given a certain workload. The pace during 50-60 minutes of the match, he added, was on par with that of official games.

Qurbanov said Renaldo Cephas, who was injured while on duty with the Jamaica national team, would return to the club tomorrow and undergo a medical examination in the afternoon. The player’s condition will be clarified after the examination.

National team matches and the impact of the break

The head coach said the lengthy break in the league had not had a positive effect on the team. He noted that the squad was small and that players called up to national teams had faced a heavy workload, playing four matches in a short period. Cephas had been unable to return for four days, he said, adding that the other players would also need time to readjust to the team.

Qurbanov also commented on Azerbaijan’s 0-0 draw with Liechtenstein and its upcoming match against Lithuania. In his view, even teams considered weaker cannot be taken on easily in modern football, as players and coaches are gaining more international experience.

“No one wins easily,” Qurbanov said, stressing the importance of avoiding negative thoughts, focusing on the next two matches and striving for the best possible results.