OMM Redaksiyası
Former Azerbaijan international Tarlan Ahmadov expressed dissatisfaction with the national team’s recent performances. He assessed the team’s play after a veterans’ match held to mark the 75th anniversary of the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
Ahmadov said Azerbaijan had performed below its potential in the away match against Lithuania and in the game against Liechtenstein. The motivation displayed against Ukraine and France, he said, was absent in the recent matches.
The former player also said the team appeared to lack discipline. He noted that forwards Musa Gurbanli and Mahir Emreli had tried to score individually against Liechtenstein, and that the attacking line lacked cohesion.
Ahmadov cited the fact that some players do not play regularly for their clubs as one of the problems. In his view, a lack of match practice affects the national team’s performance. He also said that using five defenders in both matches had made it harder for the team to create a numerical advantage in attack.
Ahmadov added that better results are expected from the national team and that dropping points in such matches is unacceptable. He stressed the importance of national pride, love for Azerbaijan and a sense of responsibility toward supporters.
The veteran footballer also said Azerbaijani football lags behind that of several countries. According to him, the large number of foreign players in the domestic league limits development opportunities for local players.
National teams rely on players’ regular participation at club level to build match fitness and cohesion. The domestic league is also an important pathway for local players to gain experience and compete for places in the national squad.
