EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY

Historical and literary sources tell us that even in the 4th-5th centuries, there were ball games in various countries. In China, Egypt and other ancient states, the ball game was used to strengthen the physical fitness of soldiers. It is interesting that the works of Nizami contain episodes where the characters play with a ball.

Those ball games cannot be compared with today's football, of course. Its homeland and exact birthday are known - England, 26 October 1863. In 1863, the first football association was set up in London and 13 rules of the game were approved. 

In Russia, the first football match took place on 13 September 1898. In Azerbaijan, the first football teams, according to newspapers published in Baku and Tiflis at the beginning of the last century, appeared in 1905. They represented mostly large oil companies in Baku. Amateur footballers who worked in Balaxani oil fields were known in the whole city. The first official championship was held in Baku in 1911 and was won by the team British Club. In 1912, Azerbaijani footballers had their first international match in Tbilisi and beat the local team Sokol 4-2.

Of course, it's hard to look through the entire 100-year history of Azerbaijani football, full of victories and defeats. And yet we decided to talk about some pages of this history with a veteran of the national football team and former head coach of the legendary Neftci and the Azerbaijani national side, Kazbek Tuayev. He was a member of Neftci in 1966 when the team won a bronze medal in the championship of the USSR - the greatest success in its history.

Congratulations on the centenary of Azerbaijani football!

Thank you. The centenary was marked at a high level. Looking back, I remember our star players. Speaking of Azerbaijani football, we cannot but recall players of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Each decade had its own players.

I am very pleased with the participation of the FIFA and UEFA presidents in the celebrations. As you know, our very distinguished guests are busy people and their participation is not so easy.

Now Azerbaijan is paying great attention to children's soccer and building new sports facilities and stadiums. Everything necessary is being done for the development of youth football. We conducted an international tournament, the Xazar Cup, among 17-year-olds and stated that it would become a regular event. All this work is aimed at future achievements.

How do you see the history of Azerbaijani football?

We had outstanding players. Real football stars played in Azerbaijan. In the 1950s, Alakbar Mammadov, Yuriy Kuznetsov, Cingiz Ismayilov and others became fans' favourites. In subsequent years, Banishevskiy, Sergey Kramarenko, Semiglazov, Adil Babayev, Valeriy Haciyev, Mubariz Zeynalov, Vitaliy Shevchenko and Rafiq Alizada played a major role in the development of our football. In organizational terms, we must mention Sovkat Orduxanov. We must also remember the prominent health professional and wonderful doctor, Kamal Axundov. Isgandar Cavadov, Masallah Ahmadov, Sakir Qaribov, Samad Qurbanov and many others also wrote their names in the history of Azerbaijani football. 

What do you think is the greatest achievement of our football in its 100 years of existence?

Of course, it is the bronze medal in the 1966 USSR championship! I am saying this not because I myself played for that team. That was the year of Neftci. We had a wonderful team. Imagine, we had nine players who played for different national teams (junior, youth and the full team). This showed the power of the side. We had a great season and deservedly won the "bronze". It was difficult, but we managed it.

Who is the best player of our 100-year-old football?

It's hard to name the best, but I can be sure about two - Alakbar Mammadov and Anatoliy Banishevskiy.

At that time, Neftci had a "golden trio". What was the secret of the Markarov-Banishevskiy-Tuayev trio?

It was a very strong trio. We knew each other from the Locomotive society. There were days when I shared a bed with Markarov. We played together from childhood and understood each other perfectly. With Banishevskiy, we made a great trio.

What was the basis for the success of Neftci in 1966?

It took us as much as five years to achieve. In that year, we could have won silver medals. Neftchi were strong enough to be among the winners in 1965. We were a real team. A fighting spirit reigned in the team. All were united in one fist and thought only about winning.

Could you also name the "golden team" of Azerbaijani football? 

You are asking about the best 11, i.e. the best starting line-up. I'm afraid I might miss someone out. Sergey Kramarenko, Valeriy Haciyev, Alakbar Mammadov and Anatoliy Banishevskiy were the best. Kramarenko was the number one goalie and Haciyev the number one defender.

How do you see Azerbaijani football from the side, or rather from off the pitch?

I've never been out of football. After I ended my career as a player, I became a coach. At present, I am a member of the Executive Committee of AFFA. The work done in recent years must be appreciated. Previously, we required a result, and now we are working. After all, to get a result, you need a basis on which it can rest. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a state programme on the development of football. During the last meeting, we talked about specific problems again. The programme, which covers 2005-2015, includes provisions on all issues. The main thing is children's soccer, as children will form the basis for future teams. AFFA President Rovnaq Abdullayev, Secretary General Elxan Mammadov and Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov are doing a lot in this area. You know, one needs talent in football. Otherwise, there will be no great performance. Look how many singers there are now, but none of them is equal to Muslim Maqomayev or Rasid Behbudov. Such people must be educated. And it is the same in football. We do not have players that are equal to the players of the past.

Despite the great support of the state, modern Azerbaijani football has not brought us any victories. When will the team start to succeed?

Sometimes, our national team puts in a remarkable performance. For example, I enjoyed the match against the Turkish national team. The team demonstrated its will and fighting qualities. They fought to the very end in all positions. We left a good impression in the second half of the match with Germany. This was followed by coaching blunders. They rushed forward and lost an undeserved goal. The team made grave errors. I think success is around the corner. Within five to six years, it will be possible to set the team the objective of getting to the final stage of the European Championship. And after that, it will be possible to think about the World Championship. Achieving results takes time in football.