NUMBER ELEVEN

Although Azerbaijani football is more than 100 years old, there is not so many well-known names in its history. Anatoly Banishevsky, Kazbek Tuayev, Iskandar Javadov, Igor Ponomarev, Mashallah Ahmadov were famous in the Soviet Union and are still remembered by all fans of the national football.

Recently, Iskandar Javadov celebrated his 60^th anniversary.

I first heard his name from my father when I was a child. Being an avid fan of Neftchi, the father would have proudly pronounced the names of the famous trio Javadov-Ponomarev-Ahmedov. Having played for Neftchi under number 11 for many years, Javadov had later moved to Dynamo (Moscow). Despite his successful career in Russia, he has decided to return to Neftchi.

In his interview with R+, Iskandar Javadov told us about some interesting facts of his life.

- On behalf of R+, we congratulate you on your jubilee and wish you good health! What do 60 years mean for a veteran player?

- I do not like the word veteran. A football player is always a football player. Sixty years is quite an age for me but I still feel fresh as a young boy. Playing football with friends, I try to demonstrate that I am still in shape. It is clear that it is difficult to handle the ball as fast as before.

- Can you compare the current Azerbaijani football with Neftchi of the past?

- It is incorrect to compare these periods. All conditions exist for the football today. It was even hard to get appropriate shoes back in the time. We had to order them from specialized shoemakers or bring them from abroad. Now the players can buy any sports shoes. Neftchi had majority of the fans in the past. This team has become a popular favorite. In childhood, we were very happy to see the club’s bus in the city. Taking a look inside of it was our greatest desire. The fate gave me a chance and I became the captain of Neftchi.

- You helped the legendary Anatoly Banishevsky score his hundredth goal for Neftchi.

- That was his own achievement, I just passed the ball to him. Anatoly was a great man and a great player. At that time, I had just was admitted to Neftchi. The young players tried not to approach the team leaders. If something were needed, they would have asked themselves. It was Banishevskiy’s last season when we had trainings in Sochi. He was happy to participate in trainings and was running better than the young players. After returning to Baku, several players had asked him not to finish his career, but he had not changed his decision. In the last match, he scored his 100^th goal thanks to my pass. He was very happy but we were disappointed knowing that he was going to leave football. After the match, I once again asked him to change his mind, but he said it was time to leave because the team already had young players and there was no need in Banishevsky.

- After Banishevskiy, all hopes of Neftchi have been associated with you. But you also left your favorite team.

- We have a silly conflict with Ahmed Aleskerov. But he had not forgiven me. Therefore, I was transferred to the Dynamo. Playing in Moscow was very difficult. But I had played in European competitions and even scored a goal to Śląsk.

- Despite a successful career in Moscow, you returned to Neftchi...

- My fans wanted my return. But whatever I tried to return to Neftchi, I failed. Dynamo did not want to let me go. I would have not returned to Baku without Heydar Aliyev. He liked sports very much. During a club meeting, he said that keeps track of all the club's games. I will never forget the words: “Neftchi is a national team. You make us happy with your beautiful games. When there is no good scores, the fans feel sad". These words have become an incentive for us.

- You have worked with several coaches. Which one of them you remember the most?

- I have worked with nine coaches. I respect each one of them. Although some of them did not like me, I tried to do my best on the field. Ahmed Aleskerov was a good coach. He loved the discipline, demanded the maximum from the players. He would have taught us not only playing football but also how to properly dress and behave at official receptions. Ruslan Abdullayev was also a professional coach.

- Neftchi could not become a winner of the USSR championship in 80s, albeit a strong team...

- We often changed coaches. If Neftchi would lose points in two games in a row, it would have been considered a tragedy. To achieve good results, a coach needs at least three years. But the team was required to ensure immediate results. It is also impossible to adapt to every coach. The new coach changes the game system, tactics. All these factors are reflected in the performance of players. We were close to get medals with Ruslan Abdullayev, but in the end, unfortunately, could not become the winners of the championship.

- Let's talk about the famous trio Javadov-Ponomarev-Ahmedov.

- This trio had good results in many games with strong opponents. Ponomarev was also known as a good penalty taker. I used to earned penalty shots, he would then realize them.

- Are you satisfied with the current state of football in Azerbaijan?

- As far as the scores are concerned, no, I am not. I expect much from the national team and the clubs. This year Garabagh and Gabala play in the group stage of the Europa League. I wish that at least one of them played in the playoffs. As for the national team, I expect good results from each game. When our players show a bad game, I get nervous and start thinking a lot. Today the conditions created for Azerbaijani sport and football are very good. And the results should match.

- What do you wish for yourself on your 60^th anniversary?

- First of all, I want to thank your team for your attention. I also want to express my deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for awarding me with presidential pension as a present to my birthday. We are very happy because we have a president who loves sports. Ilham Aliyev has always supported both the current athletes and veterans. I wish health to everyone. May the number of our victories multiply.