Halim Ficici, head coach of the Gabala Football Academy talks to gabalafc.az:

- How would you estimate the up-to-date level of the academy teams?

- It is generally well with the current situation of the academy. You can see this evident by the U17 team progressing into being champions with their perfect performances. But for the recent times, that squad have been undergoing a lot of pressure coming from the matches where they play also in the U19 League. At times they play 3 games for a week. It is really hard but they make proud themselves. I am convened they will keep going successfully to come out as champions. 

U16 also can be considered successful as they stay in the second place at the league table. They are running only 2 matches less than the leaders. They are hopefully expected to get back their lead after the suspended two games to come. But playing better is really what makes us happy, - Ficici says and cracking football not just to be leaders.

U15 finished the group stage on top and they are just two days from the next stage. U14, U13, U12 and U11 are progressing into the final round in high confidence. Generally, things are well in all the age groups. We really feel having talented players amongst them. It comes out as a matter of fact when you have a look into national teams of different youth groups. Those teams are made up mostly of Gabala players. It represents a progress of our academy towards the target that is focused on developing the youth for both Gabala and national teams.

- What about youth performances in matches off the league?

- Sure, we also are having focus on developing the young player through training camps and tournaments abroad, as well. Since the start of 2013, our 4 teams have had some trips to foreign countries. U17 and U14 run their training camps, respectively, in Antalya and Donetsk. And U15 attended an international tournament in Moldova. Currently, U13 is playing in  4th Vodafone International Cup in Antalya. Doing all these, we aim to increase international football practices of our youth and the results gratify us. All these are the youth vision of the Gabala Football Academy. 

- Playing for national teams in foreign countries, how does it affect to playing systems of Gabala age groups?

Such camps and tournaments organized both in and out of the country can pose some challenges to lower age groups. Because, our game systems are different from those of provisional teams. Sure, we can't stay off some negative affects coming from this. But we are working on this to solve those problems. 

Another challenge on this way is that players highlight themselves in personal as established players and senior footballers after playing abroad. At times, it makes a problem on their way as they take only their very early steps in football. We are talking with them one by one to solve the problem.

- It is widely thought by soccer experts that, players in Azerbaijan suffer from self-confidence more than their real bests some years after their early performances. How do you feel this problem in the Gabala Football Academy?

- Of course, we made some changes up on footballers who have been playing for us since their first day. But there is something a big challenge that we observe in the football of Azerbaijan. So, as the players score one they feel as winners,  and when they concede one goal they look lost. This is not unacceptable in football. A footballer has to hold on and play up to the end. Our efforts work out to give some better results on this way. Recently, our U15 were able to survive from getting down in two matches with 9 men. This shows how we solve the problem and how real Gabala youth are in their confidence.

- You have a great role in developing Arda Turan, Sabri Sarioglu, Semih Kaya and others during your time with Galatasaray. What you think about promising players of Gabala?

- Sure there are some such players in Gabala. But there is no need to talk about them yet. For example, Arda was 4th or 5th player believed to be promising. I mean he was behind some players who are now playing in the 1st or 2nd leagues of Turkey. Talent is not the only thing a young player need to be a professional footballer. Football culture of a player, including environment, family and friends, affect much on his future career.