ON THE OTHER SIDE OF GOAL

One of Azerbaijan's most talented football players, Kamran Aghayev, announced the end of his career. The famous goalkeeper, who started his professional career back in 2003, parted with his favourite sport after 19 years.   

His love for football has brought him to FC Barakat in his native Shabran, where he had done swimming, sambo, karate and acrobatics since childhood. In 2004, he signed a two-year transfer deal with FC Turan (Tovuz) coached by the Turkish professional Naci Sensoy. But the brightest years of Kamran’s career are associated with Khazar-Lankaran, which he joined in 2006. In season 2006-2007, Kamran became the champion and the owner of the Cup of Azerbaijan. In 2008, he won the Cup of Azerbaijan and the Unity Cup. After seven years in Khazar-Lankaran Kamran Aghayev had to leave the team because of problems with the management of the club. For some time he played for Baki. His next destination was FC Gabala, where he played 33 games. In 2015, Kamran went to Turkey, where he played first for Kayserispor, and then played 13 games for Karsikaya. In December 2015, Kamran returned to Azerbaijan and soon signed a contract with Inter Baku. And in September 2016, Aghayev signed a contract until the end of the season with Portuguese club Boavista. Upon his return to Azerbaijan, the goalkeeper played for Keshla (2018/1920). Since 2020, Kamran has been defending the goal of Sabail FC and the other day he decided to end his career. After taking special courses, Kamran Aghayev, who was the main goalkeeper of the Azerbaijan national team in 2008-2018, will work as a coach. 

Our conversation with Kamran AGHAEV began with a question about the reasons for ending his career.

“You decided to give up football. Was it difficult to make this decision?”

“I'm not giving up football. I won’t be a goalkeeper any more. I will take coaching courses, then I will work for the national team. I cannot play due to my injuries that I have suffered in recent years. I am not in good shape either. There are very few whole bones in my body. That's why I decided it was time to say good bye.”

"How serious are your injuries?"

“The last one was an arm injury. I was away from football for two years, my wrist wouldn't heal. Then it got better. Got the help I needed from Sabail FC. It was time to leave indeed. It is very hard to continue playing. These injuries are also a serious damage to health.”  

"Are you happy with your career when you look back?"

“My career is well known. I have played for good clubs. I have played in Europe. Of course, I could have played for stronger teams... It turned out the way it did. I'd say my career has been pretty good. The main thing is that I earned the love of people, the love and appreciation of my fans.”

“You have played for Turan, Khazar-Lankaran, Kayserispor and Boavishta. Which other clubs did you have a chance to play for?”

“Bertie Vogts, who worked for the national team, said that Tottenham were interested in me. He once said that Cologne FC were reviewing some of my details. Dynamo Kyiv wanted to see me in the team; they even sent representatives to Azerbaijan. We met, talked, but it did not work out. I don’t know why to be honest.”

"You have played against Spain, Portugal and other famous national teams, famous footballers. Which of your opponents do you remember the most?"

“For me, the national team has always been a different beast. I tried to do my best in each and every game. I remember the games against Portugal, Turkey and Russia. Portugal were very confident in the match against us. It was Ronaldo’s best years. We won very few games, unfortunately. The defeats made us very depressed. Sometimes we entered the field injured, took injections before the game. Our fans did not know that. The national team is a common team for all of us. Therefore, each of us is obliged to the team that raised us.”

"Are there any mistakes you can't forgive yourself for?"

"Everyone does mistakes. Err is human. But the goal I missed during the games against Israel... I even wanted to finish my career at that moment. I should not have missed it. I could not pull myself up for a few days. Then my late father supported me and said to go out and prove myself. He said that a single mistake shouldn't keep me away from football."

"Which of your coaches have contributed most to your career?"

“I cannot forget Islam Kerimov. It was he who found me and invested in me so much of his efforts. Jamaladdin Aliyev shared his experience with me too. I have no right to forget what he did for me. I am grateful to all my coaches. I am not going to name all of them because I am afraid I can forget some of them.”

"How do you assess the current state of Azerbaijani football? What do we need to develop even more?"

"The national team has not been playing well in recent years. It just doesn’t work yet. I have not been in the national team for several years, so I would not comment on that. I am not aware of what is going on there now. We should work hard both day and night. We have to work hard."

"You finished your career. Do you intend to work in the main national team or in the junior team?"

"I am currently attending a coaching course. National team members get the C category without an exam. But for categories A and B you have to study. I mean the theory. No problem with practice. I will supervise goalkeepers in the lower age categories. And after finishing the course, perhaps I will start working for the main national team. We will see."