THE MAIN TEST FOR NEFTCI LIES AHEAD

The football season in Azerbaijan is nearing the end. Inter Baki and Xazar-Lankaran will decide the fate of the national cup in the final on 24 May. The winner of the Premier League is already known - after six years, Neftci are champions again.

When we talk about the standard-bearer of Azerbaijani football, we cannot help recalling Ahmad Alasgarov, who inscribed his name in the history of Azerbaijani sport as a member of the Neftchi team that came third in the USSR Championship. In the first years of independence, he was Azerbaijan's coach, and now the 76-year-old holder of the title Honoured Coach of Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Tajikistan lives in Odessa. We decided to call Ahmad Latifovich to share the news of his favourite club's victory in the national championship and at the same time to ask him a few questions. He picked up the phone himself, and when he learned that it was a call from Baku, he happily agreed to talk to us.

- Hello, Ahmad Latifovich, how are you?

- Thank you, I'm fine. I was glad to hear you're calling from Baku. How are you doing there? What's new in football?

- Your team Neftci have become champions. You've probably heard already.

- Yes, I heard it from journalists. To be honest, I don't get the chance to follow the Azerbaijani championship. I'm too old. And my health, you know, is not the same (laughs). But Neftci's victory has made me happy. The standard-bearer should have become champions ages ago. As far as I know, in recent years the team has not seen a single gold medal. Neftci have always been a leader, so the championship suits them. Convey my congratulations to the team.

- Who do you think made the main contribution to Neftci's title?

- That's a provocative question. If the team have become champions, everyone deserved it. Everyone deserves to be credited - from the president of the club to the rank-and-file fan. I am pleased that the team is headed by Arif Asadov. I remember him well. He is a cultured and demanding man. The success of an Azerbaijani coach in the national championship should be noted, because there are many foreign coaches and players in Azerbaijan now. But Arif should know that he still has to pass the most important test.

- What do you mean by test?

- I don't want to cast a shadow on Neftci's championship, but to win in Azerbaijan is not so difficult. The main thing is to make your mark in Europe. Neftci need to give a good account of themselves in the Champions League. Now Arif Asadov has to prepare the team for this, because they will be playing different football there. They face a different struggle.

- Neftci will be competing in the Champions League from the second qualifying stage...

- In the second qualifying round, all the teams are strong. On top of that, Neftci haven't competed in European cups for many years so they are out of European practice. It's necessary to strengthen the team. I don't know who plays for Neftci now, so I can't say anything concrete. Arif Asadov knows better what to do. In any case, we must prepare for a tough fight. 

- What about the Azerbaijan national team. Are you supporting it?

- To be honest, I don't watch the games, but I do follow the results. I know that Azerbaijan has many foreign players. The national team is led by Berti Vogts, but in recent years, we haven't had the best results. Despite the great support, our teams do not really spoil us with success. There are no new stars appearing. Of course, in Azerbaijan there are players who are out of competition. I mean footballers who play in Europe, systematic work is needed. Local coaches should be trained abroad. You won't go too far with foreign experts.

- Four years ago, you worked at FC Baku, but then returned to Odessa. 

- I can't work at that level today because of health problems. Four years ago, I was in Baku at the invitation of the club. In that year, Baku became champions. I was invited as a consultant. But then I wanted to return to Odessa. Perhaps I will come to Azerbaijan again soon to meet with friends and family.

- June marks the centenary of Azerbaijani football.

- Yes, 100 years is a big date. There have been victories and defeats. The centenary should be celebrated at the highest level. After all, our football has produced big names - Banishevskiy, Tuayev, Cavadov, Ahmadov and Ponomarev. These guys played very well. In subsequent years, they were replaced by Qurban Qurbanov, Vidadi Rzayev, Zaur Tagizada, Mahmud Qurbanov and others. Youth should follow their example. Veterans should not be forgotten.

- But you have made your own contribution to Azerbaijani football.

- Thank you. Perhaps, you mean Neftci's bronze medal in the USSR Championship. I've always thought the main thing in a team is discipline. This was the case in the national team. Of course, I'd like to do more for national football. But let's not go back to the past. Give my regards to all who know me in Baku. Thank you for thinking of me.