“NEFTCI” RAISE THE BAR

One of the most significant events in football for Azerbaijan in 2012 was "Neftci" advancing to the group stage of the Europa League. This meant the club had opened a new page in Azerbaijani soccer history. Not many people thought "Neftci" would succeed, but Boyukaga Haciyev's team proved the sceptics wrong.

The Azerbaijani champions began their fight at the second qualifying stage of the Champions League. Strengthened by the acquisition of Canales, Bertucci and Ramos, "Neftci" started in Europe with a match against "Zestafoni" from Georgia. Because their chief coach had health problems his place was taken by his assistant Tarlan Ahmadov. But their chief coach's absence did not affect the team's performance. With goals by Imamverdiyev, Wobay and Canales, the "oilmen" won 3-0 in Baku. A draw in the return match in Georgia enabled the Azerbaijani champions to reach the third qualifying stage.

Here "Neftci" were up against the Israeli club "Hapoel" who beat them 4-0, and a 2-2 draw at home was merely a consolation for the "oilmen". So, having lost in the third qualifying stage of the Champions League, "Neftci" continued the struggle in the Europa League. They faced a play-off with "APOEL" (Cyprus). Having reached the quarter final of the Champions League the previous season, the team from Greek Cyprus were expected to be a tough obstacle for "Neftci" but the Bakuvians managed to clear this obstacle impressively.

Having recovered after treatment, Haciyev made a number of changes. After a 1-1 draw at home, few fancied their chances in the return match, but Haciyev performed the impossible. "We are going to write history," he said, and his lads did not let him down. Imamverdiyev and Wobay were again outstanding and Flavinho added another as they ran out 3-1 winners. So "Neftci" became the first Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage of the Europa League.

One might have expected that after qualifying for the main stage of the Europa League the Azerbaijani champions would need to strengthen their squad, and the coach himself said as much. However, the club made no approaches for new players, satisfied with what they had. The result was the team was not good enough to perform at this level.

"Neftci" lost both matches with "Rubin" by the odd goal and the Azerbaijanis also lost 1-3 at home to the group favourites, "Inter" of Italy, and could only manage the consolation of a 2-2 draw in the return match in Milan. It should be noted that in both matches "Inter" did not field their strongest side, but "Neftci" should be given their due because a draw against a team like "Inter" is an achievement for an Azerbaijani club.

It was clear before the draw was made that the fight for the play-offs would be between "Inter" and "Rubin", whereas "Neftci", faced with pretty strong opponents in the same group, had to play "Partizan" for third place. Discarding their traditional style of play, the Azerbaijanis suffered defeat at home and finished bottom of their group.

On the whole, experts felt that "Neftci", who finished with three points in their group, had done pretty well. The draw against "Inter" also helped the ratings of Azerbaijani soccer. The Baku club had 0.250 points overall which elevated Azerbaijan to 32nd place in UEFA's ratings among 53 countries, ahead of Finland. Azerbaijan currently has 8.541 ratings points, three of which have been earned this season. Of these, 1.625 points have been contributed by "Neftci", "Inter" (Azerbaijan) 0.750, "Xazar-Lankaran" 0.500 and "Baku" 0.125.

Azerbaijan has also improved on its ratings in the European cups. In the 2010-11 season Azerbaijani clubs had 2.000 points, which they failed to improve on the season after. It was only this season that our clubs increased their points tally.

"Neftci's" matches in the Europa League were a great opportunity for their young players to gain experience. In the long term this will help them to reach the national side and also attract the attention of foreign clubs. It is quite possible that at the end of the season one of our players will be playing abroad. But the most important thing is that "Neftci" has raised the bar, and when the new season starts Azerbaijani clubs will have to start aiming not to reach the next round of European cups but to reach he group stage.