CAPTAIN’S UNREALIZED DREAM

The qualification match between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic for the World Cup 2018 was remarkable as a farewell of the captain of the national team Rashad Sadikhov. It was the last game of the 35-year-old defender in the national team.

The career of No. 14 of the national team, who is considered one of the best football players of Azerbaijan during the independence, is connected with Igor Ponomarev. In the last qualifying game of the World Cup 2002 with the Swedish team, Ponomarev gave a chance to debut to two young players. Released to field on October 7, 2001 in Stockholm, the 19-year-old defender marked the history of the national team as its 94^th player. Rashad debuted in the same game with Ramal Huseynov. When most coaches give young players a chance to debut, then basically it happens in control games. Ponomarev also gave this opportunity in the qualifying match, and with just two players. In his subsequent career, Sadikhov has fully justified this trust.

Playing his 111st game for the national team, Rashad entered the history of the Azerbaijani national team as a football player, who played the largest number of matches in it.

Although the 14th number is a symbol of Garabagh today, he got to the national team from Neftchi. He has worn a uniform of the national team 37 times during these long years. The defender, who transferred to Garabagh in 2009, was also called to play for four foreign teams - 8 times for Fulad (Iran), 6 times for Kayserispor, 4 times for Kocaelispor and 3 times for Eskisehirspor (Turkey).

On October 9, 2004, another remarkable event took place in Rashad's career. In the qualifying match of the World Cup 2006 held in Baku with Northern Ireland, the 22-year-old defender first appeared on the field with a captain's armband. True, after Tarlan Ahmadov, the main captain of the team was Gurban Gurbanov, but in his absence, the captain's armband was entrusted to the young defender. After the end of Gurbanov's career in 2005, Rashad became the main captain of the team. Going to the present day on the field in the national team with captain's armband 77 times, Sadikhov is the record holder of captain’s title.

Having scored five goals in the national team, Rashad is also the most productive defender in her history. He scored his first goal in the team in 2004 in the friendly match against Kazakhstan. The remaining four goals were scored in home games. At the qualifying stages of the World Cup with his goals, he upset the teams of Wales and San Marino, and in the qualifying match of the European Cup - Turkey. In games with Wales and a friendly match with the Turkish team, he brought his team to a draw (1:1), and in one qualifying match against the Turkish team scored a goal victory - 1:0.

Rashad Sadikhov said goodbye to the national team. How difficult was it to make this decision?

It was both difficult and necessary. I have played for the team since my young age. It was not easy to part with the main team of the country. It is just time to leave now. Everything has an end.

In the last match, your teammates wanted to accompany your leave with a victory. But in the farewell meeting with the Czech Republic you lost...

The Czech Republic is a good team. I think the Czech Republic is stronger than Northern Ireland. The opponent demonstrated his level and won. We could not. The opponent was stronger than us. I think we could have played better. We had chances to score. Perhaps, we could get one point for a draw, but we failed.

You played your last game as part of the national team. What have you achieved and what have you missed in the national team? Tell us about your career please...

Playing in a major tournament is a dream of every athlete. This was also my unattainable dream. In this cycle, we were close to this. But we missed our chance in the match with Northern Ireland. I feel sorry about it. At the same time, I was a member of the national team for 16 years. This can be a dream for every player. I thank everyone: coaches, football players, fans, federation. I think I could bring more advantages to the team.

If it is not a secret, was it an end that you dreamed of?

If we won, we could become the third in the group. Being on the final list above the teams of the Czech Republic or Norway is considered a good result. I mean it was possible to part with the team following the most successful qualifying round in its history.

How will you feel watching the team from the side?

Of course, it will be difficult. But since everything comes to an end, I have to put up with it.

At the current qualifying stage, our team played the last game in Germany. If the team you parted with in the game with the Czech Republic needed help in the last game, what would you do?

I was ready to play in the game with Germany. My name was even on the list of applicants. I said that meeting with the Czech Republic would be my last game at home in order to say goodbye to the fans. I told this to the coach. I was ready to play the game with Germany if necessary. Prosinecki knew about my decision. But he said that he would give a chance to players, whom he scheduled for the next qualifying round.

Which of your coaches was more convenient for you to work with?

Frankly, most of my coaches were good. I tried to learn from everyone. We were teammates with Gurban Gurbanov, the current coach of Garabagh. Then he invited me to Garabagh. He is disciplined and professional. I think that the opportunity to work with him became a chance for me. I cannot but mention the work of Robert Prosinecki, Berti Vogts, Igor Ponomarev and other coaches. In Turkey, I worked with Ertogrul Saglam. I remember everyone. Everyone has brought something into my career.

What are your memories of the first game in the national team of Azerbaijan?

I played my first game in the team at age 19. I did not play for younger age groups, U17 and U19. The coaches invited me directly to the national team. My first game was outside Azerbaijan. I remember my great excitement. The national team of Azerbaijan has always been a special team for me. We represented our homeland. Therefore, we had to show the best game. Even losing to strong rivals, it was difficult to accept defeat.

Why did you choose number 14?

First time I played with number 7. I chose this number in all the teams. In 2002-2003, I played for Fulad of Iran. When my teammate Mahmud Gurbanov came to the team, we gave him a uniform with this number at his own request. I thought and decided to choose for myself number 14. Seven to seven makes fourteen. That is why I chose it. Then this number has become my talisman. Therefore, in all clubs and in the national team began to wear a uniform with this number.

Which of your goals you remember the most?

All goals are important. If they pleased the fans, it means they were important. But I would especially note the goal scored by the Turkish team. I mean the goal scored after the corner kick. The position of the national team of Azerbaijan at that time was not the best. After a series of setbacks, the victory over the Turkish team was extremely important. This victory was much spoken not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Turkey.

Garabagh and Neftchi - which one is more dear to you?

Both clubs played an important role in my career. Playing in Neftchi was a dream for each of us. This club has brought up many great football players. I remember when I left Neftchi, I could not come to my senses for a long time. We should not have left this club this way. At that difficult time, Garabagh did not let me feel lonely. This team is dear to all Azerbaijan. With Garabagh, we played in the Champions League, which we dreamed about. We played in the European League, won gold medals in the championship of Azerbaijan. This club is very dear to me. I will never forget the days held in Neftchi and Garabagh.

You said goodbye to the national team of Azerbaijan. They say that at the end of the season you are going to finish your career of a football player. This year is the last season for you?

As you know, for the moment being I parted with the national team. On the club career, it is hard to say something specific. Time will tell. In football, there are often injuries. Therefore, I do not want to say anything in advance. At the moment, all our thoughts are focused on the national championship and the Champions League.

Do you have any unrealized dreams in football?

Of course. I wanted to play with the Azerbaijani national team at the World and European championships. That is when I could say that my career was successful. I really wanted us to fight at major tournaments. It did not work as a football player, but maybe it will be realized in the future as a coach.

So, in the future, Rashad Sadikhov will work as a coach?

I study at the courses of trainers. I am gaining experience. I do not know if I will become a coach or a manager. But I want to stay in football. Living without football will be difficult. Therefore, I want to use my knowledge for the benefit of Azerbaijani football. But let us see what time tells about my level of professionalism.

We think that Rashad Sadikhov's coaching career will also be successful. We wish you all the best in your future career.

Thank you.