Azerbaijan aiming to build

Azerbaijan caretaker coach Vagif Sadygov has named a 22-man squad for a friendly against Uzbekistan.

Veterans dropped
Several veteran players, including Iljas Gurbanov and Samir Musayev, are dropped while FC Neftchi youngsters Rashad Sadygov and Nadyr Nabiyev are set assume a more important role in the developing squad.

'Serious opponent'
Azerbaijan, who have taken heart from recent draws with Latvia, Estonia and Iran, are looking to build on their good form before the EURO 2004™ qualifier against Italy in Baku 7 September. "Uzbekistan is a serious opponent, but we have beaten them before and we will be playing to win again", Sadygov said.

Azerbaijan squad
Kramarenko, Gasanzade, Magomedov, R Sadygov, F Mamedov, Agayev, Yadullayev, Kerimov, A Mamedov, Niftaliyev, Ahmedov, Imamaliyev, Musayev, K Guliyev, Aliyev, R Guliyev, M Gurbanov, E Guliyev, Nabiyev, G Gurbanov, Ismaylov, Vasiljev