European League, I Qualifying Round, Return Match

Shiroki Brijeg (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Gabala (Azerbaijan) - 3:0

Date: 10 July 2014 / Kick-off: 23:30 / Venu: Shiroki Brijeg Petsara Stadium

Referee: Vladimir Vnuk

Referee assistants: Miroslav Benko, Mihal Tomcik

4th official: Boris Marhefka (all from Slovakia)

Yellow cards: Ropotan, 9, Pehar, 21, Abbasov, 44, Hajiyev, 55

Goals: Zakaric, 17; Maric, 29, 56

First game – 2:0

Gabala lost to Shiroki Brijeg with 3:0 in Bosnia Herzegovina as the qualifying round of the European League ended. The debut of the red-black side for the tournament was also the first-leg outing match of the team in the new season. With the return match, Gabala should have taken the victory after the previous game ended by 2:0 in Azerbaijan.

Romanian head coach of Gabala Dorinel Munteanu had made some changes to the starting line-up with Urfan Abbasov r replacing Elnur Allahverdiyev in the left wing. Produced by the Gabala Football Academy, Elvin Jamalov came on his first match where Andrei Cristea played as a center midfielder.

Munteanu introduced the team by the 4-5-1  style. And thehere was almost no difference with the home line-up in compare with their staff in the previous event Gabala, except only with Josip Barısic coming on the second game replacing Stipo Markovic in the 27th minute. 

With the start-up whistle, the home side sprang ahead looking too close to the opening goal in the 4th minute. But Aghayev gave a great save the threat.  The red-black half of the pitch fed back by Hajiyev’s shot a bit later.

But as the lead was staying still with Shiroki Brijeg, Gabala were subjected to fouls and it seemed as a matter of time before the 9th minute when Ropaotan received his yellow card. He would not be able to play at the next game if Gabala took the victory.

Abishov, shooting a free kick after Cristean was fouled on 13 minutes, set up a trouble for the local supporters of Shiroki Brijeg as Luis Hilario"s follow-up shot was denied by the opponent keeper before the home side fed back by goal later on. Zakaric"s firs shot was deflected but his 2nd shot right away got into the net.

The goal prompted Gabala as Abishov looked too close to scoring back with some more free kicks. In the 24th minute, the home side keeper prevented Mendy from shooting in. 

Five minutes later, Maric, having a pass from Vagner, doubled the lead of Shiroki Brijeg – 2:0.

With the 15 minutes left, both sides worked hard to score more but the scoresheet remained still. And Abishov also got his yellow card at the end of the half period.

Trying to get momentum at the game, Munteanu introduced Ruslan Amirjanov replacing wing midfielder Taghizadeh after the half time.

Maric sealed his double in the 56th minute after Zakarevic"s cross.

After the 3rd goal, the hosts got more spirits to make their lead go upper. Gabala went to close to score heir first goal but Mendy failed to convert in after a corner from Ropotan.

The result left Gabala losing the return game of their debut in the European League.

Shiroki Brijeg line-up:

23. Antonio Soldo

6. Josip Barisic

21. Slavko Brekalo

27. Neven Lastro

7. Dino Coric

(18. Zvonimir Kojul, 78)

8. Mate Pehar

(10. Jure Ivankovic, 60)

11. Goran Zakaric

14. Davor Landeka

15. Vagner (c)

19. Ivan Peko

(16. Josip Corluka, 34)

9. Mirko Maric.

Subs.: 

12. Luka Bilobrk

4. Daniel Kojul

17. Vlado Zadro

28. Filip Mihalyevic.

Head coach: Slaven Musa.

Gabala line-up:

1. Kamran Aghayev (c)

6. Vladimir Levin

(5. Sadig Guliyev, 83)

15. Ruslan Abishov

16. Ruslan Taghizadeh

(7. Ruslan Amirjanov, 46)    

34. Urfan Abbasov

44. Rafael Santos

8. Nizami Hajiyev

9. Victor Mendi

25. Adrian Ropotan

10. Luis Hilario

11. Andrey Cristea

(4. Elvin Jamalov, 65)

Subs.: 

30. Anar Nazirov

2. Cristian Pulhak

3. Sirmahammad Mammadov

36. Elnur Allahverdiyev.

Head coach: Dorinel Munteanu.