Debut of Fogts was unsuccessful

Our National Team lost to the 2^nd team of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Azerbaijan  1:0

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Jasmin Burich, Stanisa Nikolich, Mehmedalija   Chovich (Harris Hamdjich, 46), Vlastimil Yovanovich, Boris Pandja (captain), Bojan Regoe (Yosiz Tomich, 74), Yusuf Dajich (Senad Lulich, 56), Edin Husich, Zelimir Terkesh (Stevo Nikolich, 71), Mladen Zizovich (Yosip Lukachevich, 57), Admir Aganovich (Kenan Cheivanovich, 90)

Azerbaijan: 23.Rauf Mehdiyev, 4.Mahir Shukurov (19.Ruslan Amirjanov, 78), 13.Usim Nduka, 14.Rashad Sadigov (captain), 16.Elvin Aliyev, 9.Samir Abbasov, 6.Elmar Bakhshiyev (10.Zaur Ramazanov, 80), 8.Alexander Jertaganov (22. Zeynal Zeynalov, 54), 17.Fabio Luis Ramim, 21.Khagani Mammadov, 22.Branimir Subashich   

Goal: S.Nikolich, 73

Judges: Pavlo Radovanovich, Deyan Sanovich, Nikola Razich (all from Chernogoria), Simya Zenich (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

June, 1^st . Zenitsa. "Bilino Polye" Stadium. 800 fans

Azerbaijan national team had the 1^st match under the leadership of German head coach Berti Fogts. Our rival team Bosnia and Herzegovina was in a difficult situation. After Meho Kodro's retiring from head coach position, the majority of the football players refused the team. Danial Pirich substituting him had to set a new staff.

Different staff this time

Fogts in comparison with the previous staff relied on the unlike one in debut match. Rauf Mehdiyev was in "frame" after a long interval. In accordance with the line defense Usim Nduka was in the center together with Rashad Sadigov. Elvin Aliyev was in the left defense, whereas Mahir Shukurov was in the right one. Samir Abbasov played in front of them. In the half defense center there was Elmar Bakhshiyev together with Alexander Chertoganov. The only forward Branimir Subashich had to be helped by Fabio Luis Ramim from the left, and by Khagani Mammadov from the right. However, Mahmud Gurbanov's and Zaur Ramazanov's being on reserve could not cause amazement.

Equal level first half

Our team started the match in a slow temp. Our football players  trying to beat the rival defense by rapid passes could score in the 10^th minute.  However, Jasmin Burich could with difficulties prevent the penalty kick by Fabio Luis Ramim. Later on the goalkeeper again could prevent the goal during the following penalty kick of Brazilians. The football players hosted the match could equalize the score soon. The players of Bosnia possessing the ball most of the time owing to pressing made the first dangerous case in the 25^th minute. After the corner kick Pandzan's kick hit the post. As a count to it, Ramim by a perfect passing left Khagani Mammadov one-to-one with the goalkeeper. But Burich making use of the forward's delay possessed the ball. Though our team played resolutely in the first half of the equal level match, the team made lots of mistakes in passing.

Result of the delayed substitution: losing the game

After the interval the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina showed a better match. The unsuccessful tactics of Fogts also had some affects for that situation. The German coach did not allow the football players to move forward but to keep the goal. And the rival players, naturally, taking this opportunity tried to score goals continuously. Firstly, Rauf Mehdiyev prevented the kick of Harris. Later Zizovich became distinguished. So, the defense line became empty which was resolute until those minutes. Meanwhile Samir Abbasov nearly to score an auto goal. But we were lucky after his reverse head kick. In spite of Zeynal Zeynalov joined the match in the 54^th minute, no serious changes took place in the match. Though it was easy to see that our team was becoming weaker, Fogts did not make the second substitution. What was Fogts waiting for? Generally, utility ratio of our football players near the central line was equal to zero. Just Ramim could be distinguished in that sense. But "the nationalized" player usually accepted the ball in the pitch area belonging to the rival team and preferred individual match. And the rival team made continuous attacks. Making use of the count attack of our team Stevo Nikolich's kick hit the post. Nikolich who entered the field newly scored a goal. He played one-to-one with Rauf Mehdiyev and scored a goal to far corner - 1:0. After that goal our team performed an active game. Samir Abbasov's kick was prevented from the empty goal by the defenders. After that Ramim distinguished for two times. His one more kick was noticeable in the added minutes. Our team lost the match to the second staff of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hope Day - June, 4^th 

Perhaps, it would not be true to exaggerate the results of the friendly match. But it is impossible to justify great experienced Berti Fogts who gained Europe Champion Title 12 years ago to substitute the fullback Mahir Shukurov with the other fullback Ruslan Amirjanov in the losing team. Evidently, no one knows the reason of the unnecessary step of the world-famed coach except himself.  In the meantime, weak play of the halfbacks, many pass mistakes prevented an efficient attack. Goal positions mainly appeared after the kicks in the distance. We hope for the following friendly match with Andorra will be held on June, 4^th.  We wish Fogts would not repeat the same mistakes in the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina and lose to "dwarf country" representatives...