Azerbaijan claim third after stalemate
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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Azerbaijan 0-0 Luxembourg
Both sides picked up their first point of the Elite round in their final game, but it was Azerbaijan who took third place thanks to their goal difference.
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Luxembourg and Azerbaijan brought their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round campaign to a conclusion by both picking up their first point following a goalless draw in Petange.
Missed chances
Both sides had lost their previous two Group 3 games to the Netherlands and Croatia, so there was only pride to play for and the draw meant it was Azerbaijan who claimed third spot in the pool thanks to their superior goal difference. The visitors had early chances, but both Mirhuseyn Seyidov and Ruslan Taghizada missed the target when well placed. Section hosts Luxembourg had their first effort in the 26th minute through Maurice Deville, but he could not convert from the edge of the area.
Azerbaijan denied
Home goalkeeper Luca Theis then made an excellent save from an Aaraz Abdullayev free-kick while, at the other end, Aydine Correia worked a glorious chance for himself only to fluff his shot. Azerbaijan became more dominant in the second half but missed their opportunities, most notably through Taghizade seven minutes from time. The Netherlands beat Croatia 3-0 to win the group.