Interview of Anar Sariyev, head coach of Neftchi basketball club, to Idman.biz website
- You beat Sabah in the Azerbaijan Championship for the second time. What are your impressions?
- It was a very nice game. Both teams played excellent basketball. I think it's an interesting match for the fans. We did everything we could to win. Many teams said that our victory in the first game was a fluke. We talked to the team before the game that we have to prove ourselves to everyone. We did it and showed that we are superior.
- What is the secret of defeating the final champion in every 2 rounds?
- I cannot say that the clubs in the first "four", including Khirdalan, have a weak point. A lot depends on how you prepare for the games. Our basketball players were ready for the match both physically and mentally. We were able to tune in to the match as much as possible, to show our collective game from the first minute to the last minute.
- You beat Rimas Kurtinaitis' Sabah easily. Did you have a conversation with your former head coach after the game?
- I can't say that we won easily. The first 3 parts of the game went by the point-to-point principle. In the 4th period, our 3-point shooting was better, so we outplayed the opponent. Rimas and I thanked each other after the game. There was no chance to talk anymore.
- Neftchi has already become an undesirable competitor for Sabah. They probably don't want to face you in the playoffs. But would you like to go down with them?
- Obviously, not only "Sabah" and we, NTD-INDIGO, Khazri and Khirdalan also consider each other as serious rivals and come to the match to win. I do not believe that Sabah does not want to face us again. At least they want revenge. All teams are strong, willing and ambitious.
- In the duels of the leaders, slightly different scores are recorded. Who do you think is the main favorite of the championship?
- Currently, all the teams are in good condition. In the end, the one who laughs at sports happiness will win. In Khazri's game with Sabah, this factor was on the side of the runners-up, and in our fight against the champion, this factor was on our side.
- As the coach of the national team, you will leave the club temporarily due to the qualifying round of the World Championship. Will this not have a negative impact on Neftchi?
- We will not be without a coach. My assistant Farid Amirov will be with the team. After this victory, I gave the basketball players 2 days of rest. Later, the assistant will continue training according to the plan. After the matches of the national team, there will be matches in the cup. For this reason, there is no pause in preparation.
Emin Aga
Idman.biz
