New boys to face Italy
Saturday, August 31, 2002
Article summary
Azerbaijan have named two uncapped players in the squad for their opening qualifier against Italy.
Article body
New blood
New national-team coach Vagif Sadygov has called up defender Rashad Sadygov and his FC Neftchi team-mate Nadyr Nabiyev in a 22-man squad for the 7 September match in the Azerbaijanii capital Baku.
On the right track
The 43-year-old coach, who was chosen to guide the Azeris through the EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign just two days ago, said he wanted to put them on the right track following the chaos which had plagued the domestic game in recent months.
Excellent run
Azerbaijan have been undefeated in international friendlies since losing to Malta in April. The Azeris have drawn four away matches - one against Latvia and Lithuania and two in Iran - before beating neighbouring Uzbekistan 1-0 at home last Wednesday.
Azerbaijan squad
Kramarenko, Gasanzade, Magomedov, Yadullayev, Agayev, F Mamedov, Kerimov, Niftaliyev, Sadygov, A Mamedov, K Guliyev, Aliyev , R Guliyev, Imamaliyev, Musayev, E Guliyev, Akhmedov, M Gurbanov, G Gurbanov, Vasilyev, Nabiyev, Farrukh Ismailov.
