"I congratulate everyone on our first victory in the UEFA Champions League," said Valdas Dambrauskas, head coach of Sabah FC, during the post-match press conference following his team's 2-0 win against Welsh club TNS in the first leg of the first qualifying round.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the Lithuanian specialist noted that the team was well-prepared for a challenging match. "We told the players that patience would be key. We have a return leg ahead on an artificial turf pitch, and we must be even more focused and disciplined in that match. We finished the game with ten men, and we know the opponent will push hard to overcome the two-goal deficit. We intend to capitalize on the spaces they leave behind," Dambrauskas stated.
The coach emphasized that there was no need to alter the game plan after the first half. "Our goal was to transition quickly into open spaces. We scored the first goal from a corner, and the second was the result of a planned attack. We controlled the game from the opening minutes, and I believe we deserved the victory," he added.
Addressing the red card received by defender Steve Solvet, Dambrauskas noted that it is difficult to assess the full impact on the return leg immediately. "Steve is a very important player for us, but we have two other players capable of filling that position. I trust they will compensate for his absence. We will see the true impact of the red card in the return match."
The head coach also mentioned that the team had opportunities to score more goals. "Of course, we would have liked a larger margin, but 2-0 is a solid result. I believe the opponent will play more openly in the return leg, which will create additional opportunities for us."
The UEFA Champions League, the premier club football tournament in Europe, serves as a significant platform for Azerbaijani clubs to gain international experience and visibility. The return match between Sabah FC and TNS is scheduled for July 14.
