"THE GOAL IS TO GO FORWARD"

Azerbaijan's football season ended traditionally with the final of the National Cup for which the winner of the last tournament Neftci [Neftchi] and Qabala, who made it into the final for the first time, met. The main and extra time ended in a draw 1:1. However, Neftci players were more accurate in the penalty shootout and won the Azerbaijan Cup for the sixth time.

In the successes of the Baku club in recent years, a special role belongs to head coach Boyukaga Haciyev. Under his leadership, the "Black and White" won the National Cup twice and become champions and holders of the Super Cup. The team also made its way into the group stage of the Europa League for the first time in the history of football in Azerbaijan.

In an interview with R+, Haciyev evaluated the results of the past season and shared his future plans.

- I congratulate you on winning the Azerbaijan Cup. This award saved the season for the "Black and White".

- If at the beginning of the tournament someone told me that Neftci wouldn't win medals, I wouldn't have believed it. But the tournament is over now, the champion is Karabakh, and the silver and bronze were won by Inter and Qabala. We have no medals, but took the Azerbaijan Cup. This is not only my success, all members of Neftci headed by club president Sadiq Sadiqov contributed to it. I agree with you that if we hadn't won the Cup, we would have ended the season without awards, and it's unbecoming of Neftci.

- If you had defeated Simurq in the final round, the team would have received the bronze of the championship. But you went to Zaqatala without the major players and "missed" the medal.

- We didn't want bronze medals. We sacrificed the third place for the National Cup. Five days after the game with Simurq, the Cup final was coming. The players might have got injured so I didn't want to put them at risk. For Neftci it doesn't matter what place we took in the championship - third or tenth. We seek only the championship. Therefore, we took that step.

- After the final of the Cup, Qabala coach Yuriy Semin resigned. You usually oppose foreign coaches, for which you have your own motivation...

- I've always been against foreign coaches and I don't hide it. Defeating them in matches, I want to show that Azerbaijani coaches aren't weak. Our experienced coaches have lost their jobs today, and it gives me negative emotions. I can't afford to allow foreign coaches to behave haughtily. I wouldn't have forgiven myself for losing to Semin.

- Neftci will be playing in the Europa League. What results should we expect from the team?

- We're always looking forward. We must show a result that will leave no shadow of doubt about making it into the group stage of the Europa League. I don't know if we can do that or not. But the goal is always to go forward. Now reaching the group stage will not satisfy us completely.

- The press sometimes notes your overconfidence. What's your take on this?

- I must admit that today Azerbaijani coaches envy each other. I've always supported my colleagues, although they occasionally criticize me. I accept normal criticism, but prejudice - never. I love to talk openly: what's in my heart is on my tongue. Maybe it's my biggest problem.

- Lately Karabakh has been playing more successfully. Did you expect this team to become champions?

- Karabakh had a good season. By the end of it, it was already felt that they would become champions. They beat most of their opponents. Congratulations to Qurban Qurbanov (Karabakh coach - editor). To me, he's like a brother. He's not only a good coach, but also a good man. I wish him success in the Champions League.

- Why do they compare you with Qurban Qurbanov?

- Karabakh became champions of the country under the leadership of Qurban. Neftci, where I work, took the National Cup. Two major awards were won by Azerbaijani coaches. So you must choose the best among us. I look forward to the match for the National Super Cup where Neftci and Karabakh will meet. No matter how much I respect Qurban, for me all opponents are equal on the pitch.

- You also criticize Berti Vogts. Why isn't the German coach achieving major success with the national team?

- Our own coaches should work in the national team of Azerbaijan. Nobody knows our players better than us. We also know our mentality. But I won't talk more about Vogts. Let him work quietly, but in the end we'll see who was right. It's just that he himself often talks about me. Once after a game, he said that Neftci played poorly. It affected me badly, and I can't agree with such words about my team. So I suggested, let Vogts put the national team against Neftci. Let's see who is strong and who is weak.

- You said that you'd leave the team at the end of the season. Haven't you changed your mind?

- I haven't yet met with the leadership of the club. If they offer a new contract, I'll stay. I wouldn't want to leave the work unfinished. I haven't had my say in Neftci. I go to every game to win. Maybe it's not visible from the side, but working in this team is both hard and responsible. Neftci has always played for the championship. For us, silver medals are not a success. Do you think every coach will be able to work with this team?

- And, finally, your wishes to fans.

- I thank all the fans. They supported us even when we lost. Thank God we were able to make them happy. I wish all the fans of the team success. And I want to express my support to all the clubs that will play in European competitions. In the international arena, we all represent Azerbaijan. I wish them all victory. Of course, this primarily concerns Neftci.