Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan Offical Match Programme

Official Digital Match Programme of Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan, Friday 11th November, KO 19.45, Windsor Park.

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Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifying Group C Friday 11 November 2016 National Football Stadium at Windsor Park Kick-Off: 19.45

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CONTENTS

TEAMS

2 3 5 7

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME MICHAEL O’NEILL PATRICK NELSON STADIUM OPENING SAN MARINO REVIEW GERMANY REVIEW

10 16 18 20 22 26 33 40 43 47 48

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD AARON HUGHES INTERVIEW

DID YOU KNOW?

THE OPPONENTS - AZERBAIJAN

BROTHERS IN ARMS

JOSH MAGENNIS INTERVIEW INTERNATIONAL RECORD CUNNINGHAM PEACOCK

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Irish Football Association President David Martin Chief Executive Patrick Nelson Advertising -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR Pictures Press Eye

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NORTHERN IRELAND

AZERBAIJAN

Michael O’Neill Manager

6SFIVX 4VSWMRIʏOM Manager

Michael McGovern Norwich City Alan Mannus St Johnstone

Kamran Aghayev Boavista (POR) Salahat Aghayev Inter Anar Nazirov Zira Rashad Sadygov Qarabagh Badavi Huseynov Qarabagh Maksim Medvedev Qarabagh Gara Garayev Qarabagh Rahid Amirguliyev Qarabagh Arif Dashdamirov Qarabagh Afran Ismayilov Qarabagh Namig Alasgarov Qarabagh Ruslan Abishov Inter Aghabala Ramazanov Inter Tarlan Guliyev Inter Araz Abdullayev Neftchi Rahman Hajiyev Neftchi Mahammad Mirzabayov Gabala Ruslan Gurbanov Gabala Elvin Mammadov Zira Dmitri Nazarov Erzgebirge Aue (GER) )HH -WVEƤPSZ Cadiz (ESP) Pavlo Pashayev Stal Kamyansk (UKR) Emin Mahmudov Boavista (POR) Ramil Sheydayev Trabzonspor (TUR) Deniz Yilmaz Bursaspor (TUR)

Trevor Carson Hartlepool United Chris Brunt West Bromwich Albion Jonathan Evans West Bromwich Albion Tom Flanagan Burton Albion Lee Hodson Rangers Aaron Hughes Kerala Blasters (India) Gareth McAuley West Bromwich Albion Ryan McGivern Shrewsbury Town Conor McLaughlin Fleetwood Town Steven Davis Southampton Michael Duffy Celtic* Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers Shane Ferguson Millwall Matthew Lund Rochdale Niall McGinn Aberdeen Patrick McNair Sunderland Oliver Norwood Brighton and Hove Albion Paul Paton St. Johnstone Liam Boyce Ross County Will Grigg Wigan Athletic Kyle Lafferty Norwich City Josh Magennis Charlton Athletic Conor Washington Queens Park Rangers

*on loan at Dundee

Green and White

Red

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee

CIement Turpin France Nicolas Danos France Cyril Gringore France Frank Schneider France

Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 *SYVXL 3JƤGMEP Referee Assessor Commissioner

Manuel Lopez Fernandez España Renata Tomasova Slovakia

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PRESIDENT’S

WELCOME

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The game is in round four of the series of group Ƥ\XYVIW ERH TVSZMHIW E KVIEX STTSVXYRMX] JSV FSXL teams to be in second place in the group going into the winter break. Last month Northern Ireland took three points from the home game with San Marino, winning 4-0 at a packed stadium with more than 18,200 supporters cheering us to victory. 8LI KEQI GSMRGMHIH [MXL XLI SJƤGMEP STIRMRK of the new and refurbished stadium which was celebrated so enthusiastically by everyone who was there. 8LVII HE]W PEXIV XLIVI [EW E ƤRI XIEQ performance against the world champions Germany in Hannover which saw the Germans win by two goals to nil. Azerbaijan come to Belfast having earned the right to second place in the group as it stands with wins against Norway and San Marino together with a ƤRI HVE[ EKEMRWX XLI '^IGL 6ITYFPMG TYXXMRK XLIQ on seven points. They have previously played Northern Ireland on four occasions, all in World Cup qualifying, with one win each and two games being drawn. It is a big game for both countries tonight and we are hoping Northern Ireland will keep up their GLEPPIRKI MR XLI KVSYT [MXL E [MR FIJSVI XLI RI\X

round of games which take place at the end of March 2017. The National Football Stadium was not alone in receiving a ‘makeover’ for the beginning of the World Cup 2018 campaign as our souvenir match programme also saw a change in layout, design and overall presentation. The feedback has been great and thanks go to the entire editorial and communications team together with all the contributors and advertisers for the I\GIPPIRX TYFPMGEXMSR Tonight, on the 11 November annual date for remembrance, the Irish Football Association acknowledges the great debt we all owe to the many who served, fought and died at war. - XVYWX ]SY [MPP NSMR [MXL YW MR E XMQI SJ VIƥIGXMSR EW we pay our respects prior to the game. Thanks for coming along to support the manager and players. The fan support against San Marino last month was uplifting for the team and we look forward to more of the same during this match. - LSTI ]SY EPP IRNS] ERSXLIV I\GMXMRK KEQI ERH have a safe journey home. David J Martin President -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR

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MANAGER’S VIEW Tonight we face the fourth match of our World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign, and things have gone as expected to date. We had a battling draw in Prague followed by an I\TIGXIH [MR MR &IPJEWX ERH E HIJIEX MR ,ERRSZIV Of course, that last sentence does not tell the whole story. A draw away from home against one of your main rivals is a positive start, but the San Marino team made us work hard for the home victory and we can once again be thankful for Steven Davis who [EW QEKRMƤGIRX JVSQ FIKMRRMRK XS IRH ERH - [EW particularly pleased that Kyle was able to bag two goals from the bench, showing just what he can do if he gets game time. The match in Hannover could have been very different. At 2-0 down after 17 minutes against Germany we were facing a huge challenge but this XIEQ EVI RSXLMRK MJ RSX ƤKLXIVW ERH HIWTMXI XLI world champions having much more of the ball we dug in and didn’t deserve to lose any more goals. Few teams, if any, in this campaign group will come back from Germany with points - and that makes tonight’s match all the more important. Azerbaijan have started with two wins and a draw but have yet to play Germany. They will come here JYPP SJ GSRƤHIRGI ERH EW YWYEP [MPP RS HSYFX FI VIWSPYXI MR HIJIRGI ERH HMJƤGYPX XS FVIEO HS[R

It is a game plan that we are prepared for. I remember too painfully the last match they played here in November 2012 when only a typical piece of opportunistic quick thinking from David Healy earned us a draw. We must be vigilant and ensure that they cannot hit us on the break. Looking at the group as a whole and how it is likely to pan out, taking full points here at the National Football Stadium will be vital as we strive to be in the top two in the group and earn at least a play-off spot. However, this means we cannot go gung ho at teams. Depending on the match and how it is going we must be patient and wait for the opportunities that undoubtedly will come, and I believe we have the players who are capable of capitalising on such opportunities when they arise. Thank you again for all your support at the last home match. It was great to play in the completed stadium with support coming from all four sides – if that doesn’t inspire you nothing will!. Michael O’Neill 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH 1EREKIV

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GOOD EVENING

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We last faced our friends from Baku in the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign and only picked up SRI TSMRX JVSQ E TSWWMFPI WM\ (EZMH ,IEP] WGSVIH LMW XL ERH ƤREP MRXIVREXMSREP KSEP MR XLI &IPJEWX leg in November 2012 with a 96th minute free-kick to equalise). Michael and the squad will, of course, want to do much better this time. This game comes at an important time in the campaign with both sides having started well, particularly Azerbaijan who sit in second place at the moment with seven points. However, as I’m sure everyone reading this programme knows, a win for Northern Ireland tonight will take us into second place over the Christmas period and that’s what we will be looking to achieve. Last month we formally opened the National Football Stadium and what a night it was. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Dutch legend Marco Van Basten were with us for the opening, as were the First and Deputy First Ministers, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness. The attendance of 18,234 was the biggest here for some 28 years and it will be matched again tonight; all single match tickets for the Azerbaijan game were sold less than an hour after being made available. Sometimes people worry that the atmosphere is lost in new or redeveloped stadia, but it was very clear that this is an issue we will not have to worry about here. Supporters on all four sides of XLI KVSYRH [IVI MR ƤRI ZSMGI EPP RMKLX EX XLI 7ER Marino match.

Obviously the key matter on the night of the stadium opening was the game itself and it turned out to be E VIPE\IH [MR MR XLI IRH [LMGL [EW NYWX [LEX [I needed. The new stadium itself has already picked up a couple of awards (as have we at the Irish Football Association recently in respect of our marketing and communications campaigns) and I will touch on these more in my programme notes for the Croatia KEQI RI\X [IIO Finally for tonight I would like to say thank you and well done to everyone who was involved in the Women’s International Cup which we staged in Northern Ireland last month as a precursor to the 9)*% ;9 ƤREPW [I [MPP LSPH RI\X ]IEV England (who carried off the trophy), France and the USA were our opponents, none of whom rank less XLER ƤJXL MR XLI [SVPH MR [SQIRŭW JSSXFEPP ;LMPI [I GSYPH RSX QEXGL XLIQ SR XLI ƤIPH SYV XIEQ TYX MR E series of solid performances which will hold them in KSSH WXIEH JSV RI\X ]IEVŭW XSYVREQIRX *SV XLI ƤREP QEXGL SJ XLI XSYVREQIRX 2SVXLIVR Ireland v USA, we saw a crowd of well over a thousand which is tremendous for an under-age game and indicates the latent interest is there. 3JJ XLI ƤIPH XLI WXEJJ ERH ZSPYRXIIV XIEQ PIH F] XSYVREQIRX HMVIGXSV 7EVE &SSXL HMH ER I\GIPPIRX NSF and we look forward to more of the same in 2017. Enjoy the game tonight!.

Patrick Nelson 'LMIJ )\IGYXMZI -VMWL *SSXFEPP %WWSGMEXMSR

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Tonight’s match at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park sees Michael O’Neill’s side come up against Azerbaijan, who are currently second in +VSYT ' EJXIV XEOMRK WIZIR TSMRXW JVSQ XLIMV ƤVWX three games. Reigning world champions Germany top the group that also contains Czech Republic and Norway, who are both behind Northern Ireland in the table along with San Marino. The journey towards Russia 2018 is set to be ƤIVGIP] GSQTIXMXMZI ;I EVI WYVI XLI &IPJEWX crowd will want to give the team the best support possible. Following the incredible journey to the knockout stages at Euro 2016 in France during the summer, :EY\LEPP [MPP EKEMR FI WYTTSVXMRK 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH and the Green and White Army during the World Cup qualifying campaign as the team look to replicate their recent success.

The atmosphere throughout the last qualifying campaign was incredible and we know that the support given to the team in France back in the WYQQIV [MPP GEVV] SR XLVSYKLSYX XLI RI\X X[S years. Your support is famous around the world and we know that the Windsor Park crowd can make the difference and we have no doubt that you will show your great support to Michael O’Neill’s side again tonight. *SPPS[ :EY\LEPP 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH SR 8[MXXIV $:EY\LEPP2- ERH NSMR MR XLI QEXGL HE] conversation, including updates and behind- the-scenes content on match day. Also for exclusive Northern Ireland news and competitions, including winning match tickets, take time to visit www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk .

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STADIUM OPENING

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The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park LEW FIIR SJƤGMEPP] STIRIH F] *-*% 4VIWMHIRX +MERRM Infantino. The launch of the redeveloped ground was staged TVMSV XS 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIV against San Marino last month. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among the guests at the opening ceremony hosted by Irish FA President David Martin. Mr Infantino said: “With this project the Irish Football Association is both safeguarding its historical legacy and reshaping its football home in E [E] XLEX ƤXW XLI GSYRXV]ŭW RIIHW “Windsor Park has been transformed into a compact, world class stadium. It is a smart and sustainable solution, and I am honoured to be here in Belfast to see this project come to life.” The FIFA President, who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, added: “Congratulations Northern Ireland. May the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park be the stage for unforgettable matches and moments for many years to come.” 8LI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH )\IGYXMZI ERH XLI Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (now Department for Communities) provided the £38million funding for the redevelopment of the home of Northern Ireland football.

-VMWL *% 'LMIJ )\IGYXMZI 4EXVMGO 2IPWSR WEMH XLI WXEHMYQ [EW E ƤXXMRK LSQI JSV 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW involvement in the number one sport in the world. And he added: “The National Football Stadium is not just a building but a symbol of hope and aspiration for the new Northern Ireland we are all part of.” The redevelopment project, which took 29 months to complete, has seen three new stands – East, South and West – built at the stadium, while WIEXMRK MR XLI KVSYRHŭW I\MWXMRK 2SVXL 7XERH LEW been refurbished and a new covered walkway added. The stadium, which now has a capacity of 18,600, features four hospitality lounges – named after Northern Ireland football legends (Pat Jennings, (ERR] &PERGLƥS[IV +ISVKI &IWX ERH &MPP] &MRKLEQ ũ EW [IPP EW GSVTSVEXI FS\IW It will soon feature an education and heritage centre and a store selling Northern Ireland merchandise. The ground is also now the Irish FA’s ,5 ERH LSYWIW XLI SJƤGIW SJ FSXL 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH *SSXFEPP 0IEKYI 2-*0 ERH 0MRƤIPH *' A total of 1292 people worked on the construction project, from designers to builders, and between them they clocked up 754,400 work hours. Around 1,900 lorry loads of concrete were used – circa 25,000 tonnes – as well as 186,000 bricks.

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LAP OF LEGENDS

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Taking part in the Lap of Legends were well-known JERW PMOI [SVPH FS\MRK GLEQTMSR 'EVP *VEQTXSR actors Jimmy Nesbitt and Charlie Lawson, former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, musician Gary Lightbody and sports broadcaster Jackie Fullerton. They were joined by supporters from across the generations, captains of Northern Ireland’s various men’s and women’s teams as well as representatives from the Irish FA’s elite development programme, Club NI. Also taking part in the lap were football legends Pat Jennings, Sammy McIlroy, Mal Donaghy and Gerry Armstrong, who played at the 1982 and 1986 ;SVPH 'YT ƤREPW EPSRK [MXL 3P]QTMG KSPH QIHEPPMWX Dame Mary Peters and Paralympic gold medallists Bethany Firth and Kelly Gallagher.

Northern Ireland football greats Harry Gregg and Peter McParland, heroes of the 1958 World Cup team, were also introduced to the crowd by TV and radio presenter Colin Murray, who acted as MC for the special lap. Other guests at the San Marino game included top golfer Rory McIlroy. Following the Lap of Legends there was also a ribbon cutting ceremony pitchside. It was performed by two very special guests: campaign GEVH LSPHIVWɄ)PPI ERH .E] /RS[PIW [LS [IVI accompanied by their father John and grandad Robert. Elle and Jay were chosen to cut the ribbon through a lottery-style process featuring all young campaign card holders.

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LAP OF LEGENDS

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NORTHERN IRELAND 4 Davis (26’ pen), Lafferty (79’, 90’+4) Ward (85’) SANMARINO 0

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING

GROUP C 08.10.2016

National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast Attendance 18,234

STATS

POSSESSION

74

26

SHOTS

35

3

SHOTS ON TARGET

15

0

CORNERS

7

2

FOULS

21

8

1 McGovern 2 McLaughlin 4 McAuley 5 Evans 3 Ferguson 7 McGinn 8 Davis 16 Norwood 14 Dallas 19 Ward 21 Magennis Substitutes 6 Hodson 9 Paton 10 Lafferty 11 Washington 12 Mannus 13 Evans 15 McGivern TEAMS

1 Simoncini 3 Berardi 5 Vitaioli 6 Simoncini 13 Della Valle 21 Palazzi 8 Hirsch 4 Coppini 20 Tosi 7 Vitaioli 9 Stefanelli Substitutes 2 Valentini 10 Selva 11 Golinucci 12 Manzaroli 14 Zafferani 15 Censoni 16 Rinaldi 17 Bianchi 18 Berretti 19 Cesarini 22 Mazza 23 Benedettini

17 McNair 18 Hughes 20 Lund 22 Flanagan 23 Carson

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GERMANY 2 Draxler (13’), Khedira (17’) NORTHERN IRELAND 0

2018 WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUP C 11.10.2016 Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover Attendance 42,132

STATS

POSSESSION

75

25

SHOTS

25

4

SHOTS ON TARGET

5

4

CORNERS

9

3

FOULS

3

3

1 Neuer 18 Kimmich 17 Boateng 5 Hummels 3 Hector 8 Kroos 6 Khedira 13 Müller 10 Özil 7 Draxler 19 Götze Substitutes 2 Mustafi 4 Höwedes TEAMS

1 McGovern 6 Hodson 18 Hughes 4 McAuley 5 Evans 3 Ferguson 13 Evans 16 Norwood 8 Davis 19 Ward 21 Magennis Substitutes 2 McLaughlin 7 McGinn 9 Smith 10 Lafferty 11 Washington 12 Mannus 14 Paton 15 McGivern 17 McNair 20 Lund

11 Rudy 12 Leno

14 Meyer 15 Weigl 16 Brandt 20 Volland

21 Gündogan 22 ter Stegen

22 Morris 23 Carson

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NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

MICHAEL McGOVERN GOALKEEPER

ALAN MANNUS GOALKEEPER

TREVOR CARSON GOALKEEPER

CHRIS BRUNT DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Norwich City

St Johnstone

Hartlepool United

West Bromwich Albion

%KI 32

'ETW 18

Goals 0

%KI 34

'ETW 8

Goals 0

%KI 28

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 31

'ETW 54

Goals 1

JONNY EVANS DEFENDER

TOM FLANAGAN DEFENDER

LEE HODSON DEFENDER

AARON HUGHES DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

West Bromwich Albion

Burton Albion

Glasgow Rangers

Kerala Blasters (India)

%KI 28

'ETW 56

Goals 1

%KI 24

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW 18

Goals 0

%KI 36

'ETW 104

Goals 1

RYAN McGIVERN

STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER

CONOR McLAUGHLIN

GARETH McAULEY DEFENDER

DEFENDER

DEFENDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

West Bromwich Albion

Shrewsbury Town

Fleetwood Town

Southampton

%KI 36

'ETW 68

Goals

%KI 26

'ETW 23

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW 21

Goals 0

%KI 31

'ETW 90

Goals 9

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MICHAEL DUFFY MIDFIELDER

CORRY EVANS MIDFIELDER

SHANE FERGUSON MIDFIELDER

MATTHEW LUND MIDFIELDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Celtic*

Blackburn Rovers

Millwall

Rochdale

%KI 22

'ETW 0

Goals 0

%KI 26

'ETW 38

Goals 1

%KI 25

'ETW 29

Goals 1

%KI 25

'ETW 0

Goals 0

*on loan at Dundee

OLIVER NORWOOD

PADDY McNAIR MIDFIELDER

PAUL PATON MIDFIELDER

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

Aberdeen

Sunderland

Brighton & Hove Albion

St Johnstone

%KI 29

'ETW 48

Goals 3

%KI 21

'ETW 14

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW 41

Goals 0

%KI 29

'ETW 2

Goals 0

LIAM BOYCE FORWARD

WILL GRIGG FORWARD

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

CONOR WASHINGTON FORWARD

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

'PYF

QPR %KI 24 'PYF

Ross County

Wigan Athletic

Norwich City

Charlton Athletic

%KI 25

'ETW 7

Goals 0

%KI 25

'ETW 8

Goals 1

%KI 29

'ETW 57

Goals 19

%KI 26

'ETW 25

Goals 1

'ETW 9

Goals 2

21

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Name Aaron Hughes Position Centre Back/Right Back Date Of Birth 08.11.1979 Place Of Birth Cookstown

DEFENDER

Height 183cm Weight 71 kg

CLUB RECORD

06

SQUAD NO

CLUBS Newcastle Aston Villa

205

54

Fulham

196

QPR

11 10

Brighton

Melbourne City Kerala Blasters

6 0

INTERNATIONAL RECORD

18

SQUAD NO

Caps: Goals:

104

1

DEBUT 25th March 1988 v Slovakia (H) (Won 1-0)

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THE CENTURION IS STILL LIVING THE DREAM! Aaron Hughes has more reason than most to celebrate the legacy of Euro 2016.

,EZMRK FIGSQI 2SVXLIVR -VIPERHŭW ƤVWX SYXƤIPH centurion a day before travelling to France (in the JVMIRHP] EKEMRWX 7PSZEOME MR 8VREZE XLI I\TIVMIRGIH defender faced the prospect of his playing career coming to the end of the road. But after playing three of the four games in France, XLI I\ 2I[GEWXPI 9RMXIH %WXSR :MPPE ERH *YPLEQ star, who turned 37 on Tuesday, wasn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. “I was half thinking about calling it a day after the Euros because I didn't know how it was going to go. But being involved in it and having played and getting the desire back and playing in those big WXEHMYQW MX PMX XLI ƤVI EKEMR - ORI[ - GSYPHRŭX VIXMVI ű said Hughes, who is now plying his trade in India with Kerala Blasters. “I went back and said we weren’t staying in Australia, that I have to keep playing and then it was a case of seeing what my options were. I

was looking back home and then the India move popped up. It took me to the end of the year and then the January window opens up. It gives me ERSXLIV WM\ QSRXLW XS ƤKYVI SYX [LEX - [ERX XS HS But this is something I'm glad I've done. Ű8LI I\GMXIQIRX SJ XLI KEQIW ERH XLI EHVIREPMR was something I missed in Melbourne. Ű- [EW I\GMXIH NYWX XS FI MR *VERGI ERH I\TIVMIRGI everything whether I played or not and then I got KEQI XMQI ERH MX [IRX FI]SRH Q] I\TIGXEXMSRW and dreams.” “I'm living the dream. I mean that sincerely,” said Hughes. “That's why I didn't retire after the Euros. “After playing in the Euros and getting a taste once again of playing in the big stadiums against the big teams, which I really enjoy, I thought ‘why should I let that all go?’ I still want to perform on the big stage.”

23

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Nothing brings us together like football. Win or lose, we’re here to celebrate those unpredictable moments of pure joy we share as one team, one nation. Are you ready? Celebrate the start of a new journey.

vauxhallfootball.co.uk

Enjoy those #GetIN moments at

with news, competitions and exclusive team videos.

Having decided to continue his domestic and international career, Hughes is loving life in India as he samples a new culture and a new league. ,I I\TPEMRIH Ű-X W HIƤRMXIP] SR XLI YT ERH XLI OMHW PSZI JSSXFEPP 8LIVI MW E PSX SJ I\GMXIQIRX about it and people are fanatical about it so from that point of view it is really good. “The lifestyle is a totally different world. I've seen some amazing things, both good and bad, things I never thought I'd see, so from that point of view it has been great.” %RH XLI I\TIVMIRGIH HIJIRHIV GERŭX FIPMIZI LS[ diverse the cities in India are. He revealed: “I've been to a few different places so far. We had to go to Calcutta which is noisy and busy with people on top of each other on GVEQQIH FYWIW ERH PSXW SJ SPH FIEX YT XE\MW Ű8LIR XLIVIŭW XLI I\TIVMIRGI SJ KIXXMRK MR E XE\M without an MOT; it probably hasn’t seen an MOT ever! “I love the sights and sounds. You can get an Uber that is air conditioned and it is a bit nicer FYX MX MW RSX XLI I\TIVMIRGI - H VEXLIV KIX XLI SPH FIEX YT GEF ERH XLI I\TIVMIRGI “I enjoy seeing the hustle and bustle, all the stalls and street food. I'm there for the football but after it when I look back on it I think it will be SRI SJ XLI FIWX I\TIVMIRGIW SJ Q] PMJI ű ,YKLIW LEW I\TIVMIRGIH QER] LYKI KEQIW MR a glittering international career but he knows tonight’s clash with Azerbaijan could have a massive bearing on his country’s hopes of qualifying for World Cup 2018 in Russia. He said: “It's a big game but it's at home and [I KS MRXS MX JYPP SJ GSRƤHIRGI +EQIW PMOI Germany; you are not going to see that level of quality every week. To perform the way we did against such a quality German side is very encouraging and if we can take that performance into the Azerbaijan game then there is no reason why we can't get the result we want.” ;SVHW 1EVO 1G-RXSWL 8LI 7YR

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DID YOU KNOW?

;SVHW Marshall Gillespie

-J 7XIZIR (EZMW QEREKIW XS get on the scoresheet this IZIRMRK LI [MPP FIGSQI SRP] XLI XL TPE]IV MR E KVIIR WLMVX XS VIEGL HSYFPI ƤKYVIW The full list is:

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2SVXLIVR -VIPERH LEZI TPE]IH MRXIVREXMSREP QEXGLIW SR 2SZIQFIV SR JSYV TVIZMSYW SGGEWMSRW [MRRMRK SRI ERH PSWMRK XLVII Z *VERGI *V E PSWX Z )RKPERH ;'5 E PSWX

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PROUD RETAIL PARTNER TO NORTHERN IRELAND

GET THE JD APP NOW

NEVER MEET YOUR HEROES? PAH!

&VMER (IPERI] XLI MRXIVMQ GLEMV SJ 7TSVX 2- 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH JSSXFEPP PIKIRH 4IXIV 1G4EVPERH ERH 3P]QTMER (EQI 1EV] 4IXIVW EX XLI 2EXMSREP *SSXFEPP 7XEHMYQ STIRMRK [MXL JSVQIV 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH FSWWIW 0E[VMI 1G1IRIQ] ERH 7EQQ] 1G-PVS]

-X MW E [IPP ORS[R EHEKI XLEX MX MW RIZIV E KSSH MHIE XS QIIX ]SYV LIVSIW FIGEYWI ]SY EP[E]W GSQI E[E] HMWETTSMRXIH

8LMW GEQI MRXS Q] QMRH EX PEWX QSRXLŭW SJƤGMEP opening of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park which, of course, coincided with the San Marino match. Each of the former living Northern Ireland managers was invited, however with Dave Clements in America, Billy Bingham unable to travel due to ill health and Messrs Hamilton, Sanchez and Worthington unavailable for one reason or another the cadre of former managers was reduced to four. That quartet included Lawrie McMenemy (still strident in his views stated in that strong Geordie accent), Sammy McIlroy (always popular with the fans), Jim Platt (quiz question: what was the match Jim Platt was in charge of the Northern Ireland team for?) and Terry Neill. Terry, originally from Bangor, was an Arsenal stalwart, playing more than 200 times for the Gunners. He managed Northern Ireland from 1971 to 1975. He played 59 times for us, captaining the team before he became player-manager in 1971

F] [LMGL WXEKI LI [EW JYPƤPPMRK XLI WEQI VSPI JSV Hull City. From Hull he moved to Arsenal’s North London rivals Spurs, managing them for two seasons FIJSVI ƤRMWLMRK LMW QEREKIVMEP GEVIIV EX XLI Highbury ground he had come to call home, thus becoming one of the few footballers to move between the two North London giants. Of course all this football stats stuff is fairly immaterial because for me Terry, as long as he lives and breathes, will always be a hero. Why? Well, there are only two living Northern Ireland footballers who have had the audacity to score winning goals against England, but only one who performed that feat at Wembley. We all know the legend that is David Healy, Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, and his I\TPSMXW EKEMRWX )RKPERH MR &IPJEWX SR 7ITXIQFIV 2005. Fewer of us, I imagine, will recall Terry Neill’s winner at Wembley on 23 May 1972.

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8IVV] 2IMPP [LS GETXEMRIH ERH QEREKIH 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH MR EGXMSR MR XLI W

Just as David Healy struck against an England side brimming with the top players of their generation, when Terry hammered the ball home from a Danny Hegan corner it was against an all-star England led by the iconic Colin Bell of Manchester City and with stars such as Emlyn Hughes, Rodney Marsh, Mike Summerbee and Malcolm MacDonald playing under Sir Alf Ramsey. It would be wrong though to understate this victory. The Northern Ireland team was also full of First Division stars with Pat Jennings and Pat Rice and Sammy Nelson and the powerful Alan Hunter in the middle of the defence beside the boss himself. It was Terry (he was their player manager at the XMQI [LS XIQTXIH QI MRXS ƥMVXEXMSR [MXL ,YPP 'MX] as being my team (any reason not to go down the usual route of Leeds United in the early ‘70s - isn’t it funny how you can gauge the age of someone by the team they support?) but what cemented Terry’s place as a hero came some 13 years later.

By that stage I was working for the IFA and I vividly recall Terry calling into the team hotel to collect a ticket prior to the 0-0 draw at Wembley against )RKPERH XLEX GSRƤVQIH SYV UYEPMƤGEXMSR XS XLI 1I\MGS ;SVPH 'YT I greeted him by saying: ‘You’re the last Northern Ireland player to score a winner against England’. Terry, without hesitation, replied: ‘Please God I’m RSX XLI PEWX ŭ ,IVS TSWMXMSR [EW GSRƤVQIH [MXLSYX doubt. I’m not sure that Terry remembered that particular conversation when he was in Belfast last month, but I did and I was thrilled to see him again on 8 October. Never meet your heroes? Pah! Savour and celebrate them – they deserve it… ;SVHW ;MPPMEQ 'EQTFIPP

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Sammy McIlroy Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player. Ambassador, Back in the Game programme.

Back in the Game

AZERBAIJAN THE COACH %W E TPE]IV LI WXEVVIH JSV 6IH 7XEV &EVGIPSRE ERH 6IEP 1EHVMH EW [IPP EW 'VSEXME ERH RS[ 6SFIVX 4VSWMRIʐOM is determined to make his mark as an MRXIVREXMSREP QEREKIV

The 47-year-old was appointed national coach of Azerbaijan in December 2014, replacing Berti Vogts (April 2008-October 2014). 4VSWMRIʏOM FIKER LMW GSEGLMRK GEVIIV MR EW ER EWWMWXERX XS 'VSEXME LIEH GSEGL 7PEZIR &MPMʉ In December 2010 he became head coach of Red Star Belgrade. %JXIV 6IH 7XEV ƤRMWLIH EW PIEKYI VYRRIVW YT X[MGI MR WYGGIWWMSR 4VSWMRIʏOM VIWMKRIH MR %YKYWX 2012 and in October that year he took the reins at struggling Kayserispor in the Turkish Super League. /E]WIVMWTSV IZIRXYEPP] ƤRMWLIH XLIMV PIEKYI GEQTEMKR MR E GVIHMXEFPI ƤJXL TPEGI FYX EJXIV E TSSV start the following season he resigned at the end of 2013. -R (IGIQFIV 4VSWMRIʏOM EKVIIH ER MRMXMEP X[S year contract as head coach of Azerbaijan – and XLEX GSRXVEGX LEW RS[ FIIR I\XIRHIH JSV E JYVXLIV two years. He has certainly started well in his second campaign with the Azeris. His team have not conceded a goal in their three matches to date in World Cup 2018 qualifying and are currently second in the table. (YVMRK LMW TPE]MRK HE]W 4VSWMRIʏOM WGSVIH E KSEP EX Windsor Park. He played against Northern Ireland JSV =YKSWPEZME MR XLI )YVS UYEPMƤIVW RIXXMRK MR a 2-0 victory in September 1990. The Azerbaijan coach was born in West Germany to Yugoslav parents, however the family returned to the independent republic of Croatia in 1979 when he was aged 10. After playing in the youth ranks at Dinamo Zagreb, and in some games for the senior team, he moved to Red Star Belgrade. 8LI ]SYRK ŭ ű QMHƤIPHIV [MXL WXEV TSXIRXMEP WSSR FIGEQI E ƤVWX XIEQ VIKYPEV ERH MR 3GXSFIV 1987 he was a member of the Yugoslav team which won the World Youth Championship in Chile,

and he picked up the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. He spent four years with Red Star, winning the PIEKYI XLVII XMQIWɄERH XLI GYT SRGIɄEW [IPP as winning the 1991 European Cup when Red 7XEVɄFIEX 3P]QTMUYI 1EVWIMPPI MR XLI ƤREP SR penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes. 8LI XEPIRXIH QMHƤIPHIV XLIR NSMRIH 6IEP 1EHVMH MR XLI WYQQIV SJ FYX LEH QM\IH JSVXYRIW with the Spanish giants before moving on to Real Oviedo in the summer of ’94. From there he moved to Barcelona, where he spent two seasons, followed by a season with Sevilla. In 1997 he returned home to play for NK Croatia (Dinamo) Zagreb. In 2000 he moved again, this time to Standard Liège in Belgium, and in the summer of 2001 he signed for English First Division side Portsmouth on a one-year deal and put in some stunning performances. He then had further one-year stints at Olimpija Ljubljana and at NK Zagreb. In spring 2005 he ended his playing career with lower division club NK Savski Marof. 4VSWMRIʏOM [SR GETW JSV 'VSEXME ERH WGSVIH 10 goals for his country. He was also previously capped 15 times - scoring four goals - for Yugoslavia. He played for Yugoslavia at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and (following the break-up of Yugoslavia) for Croatia at Euro 1996 and in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup tournaments. -R 4VSWMRIʏOM ERH XLI 'VSEXMER WUYEH ƤRMWLIH MR XLMVH TPEGI MR XLI ;SVPH 'YT [MXL 4VSWMRIʏOM scoring two goals along the way - making him the only player in history to have scored World Cup ƤREPW KSEPW JSV X[S HMJJIVIRX REXMSRW MR LI scored for Yugoslavia in a group match against United Arab Emirates). ;SVHW 6S] /MXWSR

33

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AZERBAIJAN PLAYERS TOWATCH

THE SKIPPER Most capped player in the history of Azerbaijan football, the highly rated PMFIVS W[IITIV GER EPWS TPE] EW E WXSTTIV SV MR QMHƤIPH ,I LEW TPE]IH JSV Qarabagh since 2011 after a season with Turkish side Kocaelispor where he was nicknamed ‘The Terminator’ by the fans. Has also had three spells with Neftchi Baku. Made his international debut in October 2001 against Sweden during 2002 *-*% ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤGEXMSR 7EH]KSZ [EW ETTSMRXIH %^IVFEMNERŭW ZMGI captain under Carlos Alberto Torres, deputising in the absence of regular captain Gurban Gurbanov, but following the retirement of Gurbanov he was named as full-time captain in March 2004, a role he has held ever since. Played his 100th match against Kazakhstan in a friendly in Turkey in March PEWX ]IEV FIGSQMRK XLI ƤVWX TPE]IV XS VIEGL E GIRXYV] SJ GETW JSV LMW GSYRXV] 4PE]IH MR EPP )YVS UYEPMƤIVW In 2006, as a result of missing the registration deadline for Azerbaijani football club side Neftchi Baku, Sadygov played basketball for local club BK NTD. a solid defence which has been the basis of the team’s success so far. Made his international debut against Wales in Cardiff in September 2008 MR E ;' UYEPMƤIV EJXIV FIMRK GEPPIH YT F] XLIR %^IVFEMNER GSEGL &IVXM Vogts. Wales won the match 1-0. Has played 56 times for the national team ERHɄTPE]IH MR RMRI )YVS UYEPMƤIVW GSRGIHMRK KSEPW Played his 44th international in Azerbaijan’s 2-0 home victory in the WC 2014 UYEPMƤIV EKEMRWX 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH MR 3GXSFIV MR RELIABLE 8LI ŭ ű HIJIRHIV TPE]WɄEPSRKWMHI WOMTTIV 6EWLEH 7EH]KSZ MR XLI GIRXVI right of the back four for both club and country. A youth player with Qarabagh, LI KVEHYEXIH XS XLI VIWIVZI XIEQ ERH XLIR XLI ƤVWX XIEQ MR [LIVI LI has been a regular ever since. 1EHI LMW WIRMSV MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX MR 3GXSFIV MR E ;' UYEPMƤIV E[E] XS 0MIGLXIRWXIMR [SR 4PE]IH MR %^IVFEMNERŭW ;' UYEPMƤIV against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in November 2012 and was on the FIRGL JSV XLI VIXYVR KEQI MR &EOY QSRXLW PEXIV 4PE]IH MRɄWM\ )YVS UYEPMƤIVW :MGI GETXEMR SJ XLI XIEQ 7GSVIH XLI KSEP [LMGL FIEX 2SV[E] PEWX QSRXL -X [EW LMW ƤVWX MRXIVREXMSREP goal - on his 37th appearance. He scored with a right foot shot from the centre of the penalty area following a pass from striker Aghabala Ramazanov after a set piece. THE KEEPER 8LI ŭ ű OIITIV LEW TPE]IH MR EPP XLVII UYEPMƤIVW JSV ;' OIITMRK XLVII GPIER WLIIXW Ʉ7MKRIH JSV 4SVXYKYIWI WMHI &SEZMWXE SR 7ITXIQFIV from Inter Baku. Also played in Turkey with Kayserispor (2014-15), winning TVSQSXMSR XS XLI XST HMZMWMSR ERH XLIR [MXL /EVWM]EOE JSV XLI ƤVWX LEPJ SJ PEWX WIEWSR 4SWWIWWIW I\GIPPIRX VIEGXMSRW ERH GSQQERHW LMW EVIE 4PE]W FILMRH

KAMRAN AGHAYEV GOALKEEPER

'PYF Boavista

%KI 30

'ETW 62

Goals 0

RASHAD SADYGOV DEFENDER

'PYF Qarabagh

%KI 34

'ETW 105

Goals 4

MAKSIM MEDVEDEV DEFENDER

'PYF Qarabagh

%KI 27

'ETW 38

Goals 1

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THE GOALGETTER 8LI RMTT] X[S JSSXIH ŭ ű WXVMOIV QMHƤIPHIV [EW FSVR MR XLI JSVQIV 9776 MR Kazakhstan which meant that after the break-up of the USSR he was eligible to TPE] JSV ER] SJ XLI RI[P] JSVQIH MRHITIRHIRX VITYFPMGW Ʉ ;LIR LI [EW EKIH NYWX SRI LMW JEQMP] [LS [IVI SJ +IVQER I\XVEGXMSR QSZIH to Germany. In his youth ‘Dima’ played for Wormatia Worms, moving in 2009 to /EMWIVWPEYXIVRɄERH XLIR SR XS )MRXVEGLX *VEROJYVX %JXIV XLVII ]IEVW [MXL /EVPWVYLI LMW GSRXVEGXɄ[EW RSX VIRI[IH EX XLI IRH SJ WIEWSR ERH LI NSMRIH Erzgebirge Aue, newly promoted into the Second Bundesliga. In October 2012 he was spotted by then Azerbaijan head coach Berti Vogts and [EW WIPIGXIH JSV E ;' UYEPMƤIV EKEMRWX 6YWWME XLEX QSRXL At the time he only possessed a German passport – and he wasn’t able to play because the Azerbaijani Football Federation failed to organise the issuing of an Azerbaijani passport. ,I ƤREPP] QEHI LMW MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX MR 1E] MR E JVMIRHP] EKEMRWX XLI 9RMXIH States in San Francisco (2-0 defeat). 7GSVIH LMW ƤVWX KSEP JSV %^IVFEMNER MR 7ITXIQFIV MR E )YVS UYEPMƤIV against Bulgaria (2-1 defeat). One of his proudest moments was scoring the goal to equalise against Italy in Baku in October 2015, although the Italians won 3-1in the end. Played in all 10 Euro UYEPMƤIVW WGSVMRK XLVII SJ %^IVFEMNERŭW WIZIR KSEPW % OI] QIQFIV SJ XLI XIEQ LI TPE]IH MR XLI GIRXVI SJ QMHƤIPH MR LMW GSYRXV]ŭW STIRMRK XLVII Ƥ\XYVIW MR ;' UYEPMJ]MRK THE LINKMAN 8LI LEVH [SVOMRK ŭ ű HIJIRWMZI QMHƤIPH TPE]IV SGGYTMIW E ZMXEP VSPI EW PMROQER in front of the back four in the 4-1-4-1 formation favoured by coach Prosinecki. ,I LEW TPE]IH MR EPP XLVII ;' UYEPMƤIVW XS HEXI ,EW TPE]IH JSV *' 5EVEFEKL since 2008, joining the club as a 16-year-old. His team have been league GLEQTMSRWɄJSV XLI PEWX XLVII WIEWSRW ERH GYT [MRRIVW JSV XLI PEWX X[S WIEWSRW -R 2014 he was voted Azerbaijan’s Player of the Year. Made his international debut in March 2013 in a 0-0 draw away against 0Y\IQFSYVK MR E ;' UYEPMƤIV 4PE]IH MR EPP )YVS UYEPMƤIVW THE MIDFIELD DYNAMO 8LI JX JSV[EVH QMHƤIPHIV WGSVIH LMW ƤVWX MRXIVREXMSREP KSEP EKEMRWX 7ER 1EVMRS in Azerbaijan’s 1-0 away victory in September with a header just before half-time. Born in Russia, he moved to Azerbaijan, signing for Neftchi Baku, in 2010. Went on loan to Sumgayit, returning to Neftchi in 2013, winning the Azerbaijan 'YT ,EW TPE]IH MR EPP XLVII SJ %^IVFEMNERŭW ;' UYEPMƤIVW ,EH E WTIPP [MXL Hajduk Split (Croatia) in 2015 before returning to Neftchi where he was the club’s top scorer in the Azerbaijan League last season (13 goals in 31 games). 1EHI LMW MRXIVREXMSREP HIFYX EW E WYF MR E )YVS UYEPMƤIV Z 1EPXE MR 1EVGL [SR % OI] TPE]IV MR XLI QMHƤIPH JSYV 'ER TPE] SR IMXLIV ƥERO SV MR XLI centre.

RUSLAN GURBANOV FORWARD/MIDFIELD

'PYF Gabala

%KI 25

'ETW 13

Goals 1

DMITRI NAZAROV FORWARD/MIDFIELD Goals 5 'PYF Erzgebirge Aue %KI 26 'ETW 20

GARA GARAYEV

MIDFIELD

'PYF Qarabagh

%KI 23

'ETW 26

Goals 0

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AZERBAIJAN

FACTFILE

Azerbaijan v Northern Ireland 7EXYVHE] 3GX ;SVPH 'YT 5YEPMƤIV (6); Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan 7EXYVHE] 7IT ;SVPH 'YT 5YEPMƤIV ;32 Ʌ Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan ;IHRIWHE] 2SZ ;SVPH 'YT 5YEPMƤIV (6); Azerbaijan v Northern Ireland *VMHE] 3GX Ʌ ;SVPH 'YT 5YEPMƤIVɅ0378

NORTHERN IRELAND AGAINST AZERBAIJAN 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH ERH %^IVFEMNER LEZI QIX TVIZMSYWP] SR JSYV SGGEWMSRW %PP XLI QEXGLIW [IVI MR ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIVW JSV XLI ERH XSYVREQIRXW [MXL SRI [MR ETMIGI ERH X[S HVE[W %EVSR ,YKLIW ERH 'LVMW &EMVH TPE]IH MR XLI ƤVWX XLVII KEQIW JSV 2SVXLIVR -VIPERH [LMPI JSV %^IVFEMNER 6EWLEH 7EH]KSZ LEW FIIR ER ever present and is likely to skipper the side XLMW IZIRMRK

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'EPPIH XLI 0ERH SJ *MVI JVSQ ERGMIRX XMQIW HYI XS MXW SMP VMGL WSMP [LMGL SJXIR FYVWXW WTSRXERISYWP] MRXS ƥEQI QSHIVR %^IVFEMNER [SR MRHITIRHIRGI JVSQ XLI 9776 MR 2S[EHE]W MXW REXYVEP VIWSYVGIW SJ SMP ERH KEW JYIP ER IGSRSQ] [LIVI XLI EQFMXMSR MW XS HIZIPST E REXMSREP JSSXFEPP XIEQ GETEFPI SJ GSQTIXMRK SR XLI [SVPH WXEKI

8LI )YVS UYEPMƤIVW WE[ %^IVFEMNER IRXIV XLI MRXIVREXMSREP EVIRE JSV XLI ƤVWX XMQI FYX VIEGLMRK XLI ƤREPW SJ E QENSV XSYVREQIRX MW WXMPP E HVIEQ In contrast club sides in the country are more successful because of foreign imports. Not until the 1960s, seen as the ‘Golden Age’ of %^IVFEMNER JSSXFEPP [MXL 2IJXGLM &EOY EW XLI ƥEKWLMT team of the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, did players such as forward Anatoly Banishevsky (51 caps and 19 goals between 1965 and 1972) emerge on the world scene. &IXXIV ORS[R XS &VMXMWL JERW MW VIJIVII 8SƤU Bahramov, the linesman who helped to award the third goal (by Geoff Hurst) for England in the 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley against West Germany. He originally played for Neftchi Baku but a serious leg injury prevented him from continuing his playing career and he became a referee. After his death in 1993, Azerbaijan’s then national stadium was VIREQIH XLI 8SƤU &ELVEQSZ 7XEHMYQ MR LMW LSRSYV In February 2004 Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of the Brazil side which won the 1970 World Cup, [EW ETTSMRXIH REXMSREP GSEGL XLI ƤVWX JSVIMKRIV XS occupy the position. Under him Azerbaijan played twice against Northern Ireland in World Cup 2006 UYEPMƤIVW ɄHVE[MRK MR &EOY ERH [MRRMRK EX Windsor Park. Carlos Alberto, as he was better known in this part of the world, sadly passed away last month after suffering a sudden heart attack. One of the world’s greatest footballers, he played 53 times for Brazil between 1964 and 1977, scoring eight goals, the most famous of which was his strike in the 1970 ;SVPH 'YT *MREP MR 1I\MGS [LIR &VE^MPɄHIJIEXIH Italy 4-1. A move which started in the Brazil half WE[ 4IPI PE] SR E TEWW [LMGL EPPS[IH %PFIVXS XS ƤVI in a superb angled drive from the right side of the penalty area. April 2008 saw the appointment of former German international player and national coach Berti Vogts as the country’s new national coach. In the WC 2010 UYEPMƤIVW %^IVFEMNER ƤRMWLIH SR ƤZI TSMRXW X[S ahead of last placed Liechtenstein. -R 2SZIQFIV :SKXWŭ GSRXVEGX [EW I\XIRHIH until 2012 and they broke their scoring and points records with seven points and 10 goals in the Euro UYEPMƤIVW 8LI] EPWS EGLMIZIH XL TPEGI MR XLI FIFA rankings, their best ever position. -R XLI ;SVPH 'YT UYEPMƤIVW XLI] EQEWWIH RMRI TSMRXW ERH ƤRMWLIH JSYVXL MR XLIMV KVSYT SRI TPEGI above Northern Ireland.

In July 2014, under Vogts, Azerbaijan achieved their highest FIFA ranking to date (73rd). The German was still in charge when Azerbaijan entered the Euro 2016 qualifying cycle but resigned from his post following three straight losses at the start of the campaign. On 1 December 2014, former Croatia star Robert 4VSWMRIʏOM [EW REQIH EW XLI RI[ LIEH GSEGL SJ the Azerbaijan national team. An initial two-year GSRXVEGX YRXMP 9)*% )YVS [EW PEXIV I\XIRHIH XS cover the WC 2018 campaign. -R XLI )YVS ɄUYEPMƤIVW %^IVFEMNER ƤRMWLIH MR E HMWETTSMRXMRK ƤJXL TPEGI SYX SJ WM\ MR XLIMV KVSYT [MXL SRI [MR XLVII HVE[W ERH WM\ HIJIEXW MR QEXGLIW The only team below them was Malta. Prosenicki made a bright start in his new role with a 2-0 home win against the Maltese in March 2015 followed by a scoreless draw in Oslo in June. There was another scoreless draw at home to Croatia in September, followed three days later by a 2-2 draw in 1EPXE 8LI ƤREP X[S UYEPMƤIVW [IVI HIJIEXW EX LSQI to Italy (3-1) and away to Bulgaria (2-0). The WC 2018 campaign has certainly started well for Azerbaijan. They have not conceded a goal in their three matches to date in Group C and are currently in second place in the table. They have defeated both San Marino (away) and Norway (home) 1-0 and drawn 0-0 with Czech Republic in Ostrava. The leading club in Azerbaijan at present is Qarabagh FK (Qarabag), who have won the league for the last three seasons and the cup in the last two seasons. The leading scorer last season was Spanish winger Dani Quintana with 15 league goals. Qarabagh are currently playing in the Europa League group stages where they are taking on Fiorentina, PAOK and Liberec. Also playing in the Europa League group stages are +EFEPE */ [LS ƤRMWLIH XLMVH MR XLI PIEKYI Ʉ8LI] EVI up against Anderlecht, St Etienne and Mainz. Best known club is probably Neftci FK who have won the league eight times - the last time was in 2013 - and the cup seven times. They were beaten F] 5EVEFEKL MR PEWX WIEWSRŭW GYT ƤREP -R XLI] FIGEQI XLI ƤVWX %^IVFEMNERM GPYF to reach the group stage of the Europa League. Founded in 1937, they represented Azerbaijan in the

USSR league system. ;SVHW 6S] /MXWSR

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