BREAK IN THE RUN OF BAD LUCK

The Azerbaijan-Belgium and Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan European Championship qualifiers have at last brought the Azerbaijani fans some satisfaction. The team put an end to their eight-month losing streak, gaining four points in two games. This makes a total of seven points in the European Championship qualifying group for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan.

In the match against Belgium at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, our team had two objectives - to put on a performance to please the fans and to help Turkey by taking points off Belgium.

The team did not get off to a good start. It was all Belgium in the opening minutes. Not only did the Azerbaijani players fail to show what they're capable of, they even looked as though they didn't want to fight.

Fortune was on our side in the first 45 minutes, and Belgium missed numerous goal-scoring chances. Our goalkeeper Kamran Agayev had a lot to do with this, putting in a solid performance as always.

Rauf Aliyev did not shine in the early minutes of the game, but later he became the hero of the match. He seemed to lack support from his teammates, with Vaqif Cavadov and Afran Ismayilov not having the best of games.

Belgium also started the second half strongly. Hoping for a counterattack, Berti Vogts' had a shock in the 55th minute when Rasad Sadiqov committed a foul in the 12-yard box to give away a penalty. Timmy Simons' shot was right on target.

Belgium sat back after the penalty, feeling complacent. But they had believed in an easy victory too early.

From the 75th minute, the fans began chanting and calling for the resignation of Berti Vogts. It was a kind of awakening for our team, and after a beautiful pass from Mahir Sukurov in the 86th minute, Rauf Aliyev headed the ball into the net - 1-1!

The Azerbaijani players packed the defence and managed to hang on for the draw and the fourth point in the qualifying group.

Just four days after the game with Belgium, our players had a grudge match against Kazakhstan. Everyone, including the players, knew perfectly well that after the bitter 2-1 defeat in Astana, the team had no right to give Kazakhstan points in Baku. In addition, victory over our neighbours from the east coast of the Caspian Sea could not only justify the team in the eyes of the fans, but also play a crucial role in the future of Berti Vogts as Azerbaijan's coach. He had the opportunity to become the first coach, under whose leadership our team finally overcame the five-point barrier. And he didn't miss this chance...

Encouraged by the support of the fans, Azerbaijan were on the attack from the outset. But the numerous goal-scoring chances created by Mahir Sukurov, Vaqif Cavadov and Afran Ismayilov did not lead to a goal - it was proving impossible to deal the decisive blow.

And as often happens, if you do not score, your rival scores. Sergey Ostapenko's 20th minute goal shook the home team, but they did not manage to change the score before the break. In the second half, Azerbaijan were unrecognizable - the players fought to the very end, showing real spirit. They scored three goals against Kazakhstan to prove themselves the stronger team.

It was Rauf Aliyev who distinguished himself by scoring an equalizer once again. Then the FC Qarabag player earned a penalty, which was smartly converted by Mahir Sukurov.

Vaqif Cavadov sealed the win with the third goal. Kazakhstan pulled one back, but Azerbaijan held out to keep the score at 3-2.

The win was the right response to the defeat in Astana. Rauf Aliyev and Mahir Sukurov were outstanding. With a goal apiece against Belgium and Kazakhstan, Rauf proved that he is in his best form in years.

Despite the victory, the Azerbaijani team's game revealed a number of problems. They lost the ball in the easiest of situations and tended to move slowly from defence to attack, giving the coaches plenty to work on. We should not forget that the opponents, Kazakhstan, are one of the weakest teams on the continent and tougher rivals will not give our players so much time.

Now the coaches have to begin preparations for the difficult match against Austria in October. The victory over Kazakhstan should not be a reason for euphoria. The team should know that seven points is not the limit and can be exceeded in the games against Austria and Turkey.