Azerbaijan continue to improve
Sunday, August 11, 2002
Article summary
Azerbaijan continue to show signs of improvement after holding Iran to a 1-1 draw in Tebriz.
Article body
Azerbaijan continue to show signs of improvement after holding Iran to a 1-1 friendly international draw in Tebriz.
Ismaylov opener
Farrukh Ismaylov shocked the hosts when he shot the European side into a 16th-minute lead, but Ali Kerimi equalised on 33 minutes. Azerbaijan are next in action on 21 August when they tackle Uzbekistan in their final warm-up match ahead of their opening EURO 2004™ qualifier against Italy on 7 September.
'Thoughts with Italy'
Coach Vagif Sadygov is content with his side's preparation for their meeting with the Azzurri. "Despite the fact that our local championship isn't being played at the moment we are doing a good job with the national side," he said. "All our thoughts are now with Italy." Yugoslavia, Finland and Wales are drawn alongside Azerbaijan in Group 9.
