Azerbaijan forward Mahir Emreli expressed his thoughts regarding the red card he received during the Nations League match against Slovakia, which ended in a 1:3 defeat for Azerbaijan.
On his social media account, Emreli addressed the situation:
"Dear fans, first of all, thank you for your support. I’m sure you all know how much I love my country and my flag."
According to Idman.biz, Emreli reflected on his long-standing commitment to the national team and the emotions driving his actions on the pitch:
"I’ve been playing for the national team across various age groups since childhood, and I’ve been a part of the senior squad for quite some time. Sometimes, my desire to win becomes overwhelming. I always try to show this desire in my game, and sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn’t. Football is a game of seconds. Sometimes, instead of scoring, you have to prevent a goal, and that can result in a card. Although the situation may seem against me, I believe that football fans understand me."
He further acknowledged the inevitable criticisms:
"Of course, criticism is unavoidable, and I’m always open to healthy criticism. I know the more you expect, the more you can be disappointed. Your high expectations and pressure don’t scare me; they motivate me. They push me to train harder and improve more. I hope to bring joy to you with my goals in future matches. Your criticism, love, and support mean a lot to me."
Mahir Emreli was sent off in the 70th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Idman.biz
