DISAPPOINTING RECORDS

The Azerbaijani national football team finished the qualifying stage of the World Cup 2018. Prosinečki’s team was the fifth best in Group C, ahead of San Marino only, which finished the competition without any points. Winning in all 10 matches of the qualification stage, the German national team advanced to the final stage. Northern Ireland team will play in playoffs. The third and fourth places were taken by the Czech Republic and Norway, respectively.

Let us remember the beginning of the qualifying stage. After the first three rounds, everyone was full of bright hopes. Our team defeated the teams of San Marino (1:0) and Azerbaijan (1:0). Then, Prosinečki’s team brought another point after a trip to the Czech Republic. The head coach of the German national team Joachim Loew even surprised everyone by calling the forthcoming game with Azerbaijan the "top meeting in the group". All these results were the first of their kind in the history of the national team. We never had 7 points in three games ended with flawless victories. Many dreamed of the final stage of the World Cup 2018 to be held in Russia.

However, our national team could not continue the victorious procession. Crushing defeat from Northern Ireland (0:4) and Germany (1:4) somewhat cooled the Azerbaijani football fans. However, the team still had chances to reach the playoffs. But Northern Ireland crossed out all hopes for the national team of (0:1), although the Azerbaijani team had an advantage throughout the game at the Tofig Bakhramov stadium. The belief in victory was strong. Even a draw left some hope, preserving the intrigue. But the goal scored by the Irish at the last minute crossed all hopes. And the ensuing defeat with Norway completely buried all hopes associated with the upcoming World Cup.

The victory over San Marino with a large score (5:1) cheered the fans a little. For the first time in the qualifying stage, we scored five goals, taking away 6 points per cycle. The chances of taking the third place increased, which could bring at least some consolation. But further games showed that even with a successful game the third place would be unattainable, as Northern Ireland lost to Norway in the final round. Although the Azerbaijani team scored 1 point, but again, as in most previous cycles, it was the fifth. Competition with these rivals could bring us a higher place. San Marino is one of the weakest teams among the "dwarfs". Currently, the Czech team is not as powerful as before, as the team is going through a transition period. There is also no need to specifically exaggerate the strength of the Norwegian national team. The game with Northern Ireland in Baku demonstrated that winning this team was quite realistic. Unfortunately, the successful start did not continue well, and in the second half of the qualifying round, the Azerbaijani team was defeated 5 times in 6 games.

Prosinečki used 27 players in 10 matches of the qualifying stage. Gara Garayev, Rahid Amirguliyev and Ramil Sheydayev participated in all games. However, none of them spent 90 minutes on the field. Gara and Rahid were the most active players of the starting lineup - 8 times. Garayev outstrips other team members by the duration on the field. Rahid and Rashad Sadikhov have played as captains 3 and 7 times, respectively. One of the goals scored by the team was a ball, mistakenly scored by a San Marino player Michel Chevole. The remaining nine goals were recorded by 7 players of our national team. In this case, more than one goal scored only Afran Ismailov - he experienced this joy 3 times. He scored one goal from the penalty spot. Also, the national team scored 1 of 19 missed goals from the penalty spot. Once we had to face an own goal - in the game with the national team of Norway, Rashad Sadikhov confused the gate. In 10 games, the national team "earned" 11 yellow cards. Dmitry Nazarov and Maxim Medvedev (2 each). The only red card belongs to Badavi Huseynov.

So, the Azerbaijani team eventually took the fifth place in Group C, and thus for the seventh time in its history completed the cycle on this position. In total, during the independence period, the national team took part in 12 qualifying rounds, where it once took third place, three times was sixth and one time - in 8th place. The final qualifying round was significant for the Azerbaijani team and some records. The team for the first time in its history won 3 wins in a row, and for the first time the number of points scored was expressed in double digits (10). After losing 6 matches, the team showed the second result in its history. Less - just 3 matches the team lost only once - at the qualifying stage of the 2014 World Cup. The record for the number of goals scored was also updated at the qualifying stage of the UEFA EURO 2012. Also, the anti-record for the number of goals conceded in the last 3 cycles was also updated - the national team saw the ball 19 times in the net of its goal.

The current qualifying stage was the second season of the Croatian head coach Robert Prosinečki with the Azerbaijani national team. Certainly, the team has revived under his guidance during these years - the head coach gave the players freedom, they began taking responsibility on the field. But the result is still unsatisfactory – 5^th in the group, and the new record for the points scored exceeds the previous one by only 1 point. The Azerbaijani team disappointed the fans by the lack of a stable game. Although the start was successful, the fans have noticed somewhat indifference of Robert Prosinečki to his work in the last 4 months. The Croatian specialist seemed to be waiting for the expiration of the contract to hastily leave the country. We must admit that the country does not have a wide selection of players and few high-quality players who are capable of playing for the main team. Obviously, it is not easy to succeed in such a situation. Hence, we cannot criticize Prosinečki for the fifth place in the group.

It is interesting that, like the previous head coach Berti Vogts, Prosinečki also made unusual decisions, sympathized with some players, showing a principled dislike for some players. Such issues include the question of Deniz Yilmaz and the refusal to invite Rauf Aliyev. The Croatian specialist was given enough time. Robert Prosinečki, who started guiding the national team after the 4th qualifying round of Euro-2016, has never received a single reproach until the very end of this stage. During this time, he realized the capabilities of this team, adapted to the country and the national team. But starting from the new cycle of the World Cup 2018 qualifications, he is the only one responsible for the accomplishments. If the result is unsatisfactory, continuing cooperation with the head coach is considered a wrong decision. If we qualify for the final part of the Euro-2020, then the changes in the national team are inevitable. It is necessary to make a number of changes in the composition, including the head coach. Another point is the loss of time for familiarization in the event of the appointment of a new foreign head coach. In this case, there is an option with a local coach. If a local specialist is invited, Gurban Gurbanov’s name comes to mind first. In the new season, the selection for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship will be held through the League of Nations of UEFA, and the conquest of the Azerbaijani national team is quite feasible, which means that an error in choosing a head coach is unacceptable. Now, the majority opposes parting Gurban Gurbanov with the club. However, the option of the coach in the club and the team is quite acceptable.

In his interview with R+, an experienced specialist Agasalim Mirdzhavadov shared his thoughts on the work of his colleague Robert Prosinečki: "Prosinečki has successes. Before the current qualifying stage, no one was gaining 10 points. Do not forget that 10-12 teams played in the national championship during Vogts times. Now only 8 clubs participate in it. The head coach of the team has to choose players from these clubs. True, now the national team is demonstrating a real game. It's one thing when a team on the field is exhausted, goes into deep defenses, relying only on counterattacks. Now the team together with the defense is building thoughtful attacks, the players do not hesitate to go ahead. Sometimes we say that at this qualifying stage the football player "added". Let us pay attention to clubs and the championship. It all depends on the game of the football player in the club. It will sound stereotyped, but the player must come to the team already held. Change something in a couple of weeks is impossible. There is a game and the result is 10 points. Okay, we have 6 points from the game with San Marino. What about the victory over Norway and a draw with the Czech Republic? These are the facts. We can have more or less points. It is just about the team, which did not have a stable game. Prosinecki;s leave should be taken normal. Every coach once leaves. "

During the qualifying phase, we have been watching the new players of the national team. It was the first ‘national’ game for Emin Mahmudov. Tamkin Khalilov of "Gabala" once again demonstrated that he could become the main figure on the left wing. In the game with Germany, Ramil Sheydaev (Garabagh) finally could work hard in the front line, but failed to score a goal. He can certainly fill in the attack line of the national team. It is very likely that Mahir Madatov  will also be taken to the national team. These young players must form the backbone of the team at the qualifying stage of the European Championship-2020. As one of the host countries of the continent's championship, we must set a specific goal - to get to the final stage. The national team of Azerbaijan can register her name into history after getting access to Euro-2020 through the League of Nations of UEFA.

After his recent return to Baku, the Croatian coach Robert Prosinečki met with the president of AFFA, Rovnag Abdullayev. At the meeting, where the current state of Azerbaijani football and its future prospects were widely discussed, it was decided not to extend the existing agreement based on mutual consent. The AFFA leadership expressed its gratitude to Robert Prosinečki for fruitful work as head coach of the Azerbaijani national team and wished him success in his future career.

AFFA, which began to search for a new coach for the country's main team, said that the name of the new head coach would be announced before the end of this year.