The Azerbaijani national football team is set to play their next match today.
Idman.biz delves into the secrets behind Azerbaijan victories, offering exclusive insights about their journey.
Since its formation in 1992, our team has experienced more defeats than wins, often disappointing its fans. Despite this, the country's top team has occasionally brought joy with unexpected triumphs. While fans celebrate the consistent success of clubs like Qarabag, Neftchi, and Gabala in European tournaments, the national team provides sporadic moments of victory to uplift spirits.
But who has contributed most to these victories? İdman.biz presents a detailed analysis of players who have played key roles in our triumphs.
Captain Leading the Pack
The record-holder for the most appearances in the national team is former captain Rashad Sadygov, with 111 matches. Naturally, this gave him more opportunities to contribute to victories—and he made the most of them.
Throughout his national team career, Sadygov experienced 20 wins, 8 of which were in qualifiers and 12 in friendly matches. The team won 18.02% of the games he played. His first victory came in 2002, and 15 years later, he achieved his 20th win.
Notable victories during Rashad Sadygov's career include:
- August 21, 2002 – Azerbaijan 2:0 Uzbekistan (Friendly)
- October 12, 2010 – Azerbaijan 1:0 Turkiye (European Qualifier)
- September 8, 2020 – Cyprus 0:1 Azerbaijan (Nations League)
- March 5, 2017 – Qatar 1:2 Azerbaijan (Friendly)
Record in the Making?
Defender Badavi Huseynov equaled Sadygov's record of 20 victories five months ago during a match against Kazakhstan. Should Azerbaijan win against Estonia today, Huseynov could break this record.
Badavi, who has played 75 matches over 12 years, boasts a 26.67% victory rate—higher than Sadygov’s. His notable victories include:
- February 27, 2012 – Azerbaijan 3:0 India (Friendly)
- October 11, 2013 – Azerbaijan 2:0 Northern Ireland (World Cup Qualifier)
- March 22, 2023 – Azerbaijan 1:0 Mongolia (Friendly)
The Pursuit of Records
Seven players trail behind Sadygov and Huseynov with over 16 wins each, including Maksim Medvedev, Kamran Agayev, and Ramil Sheydayev. Sheydayev, still active, has the chance to surpass their records.
Emin Mahmudov, a standout midfielder, also has 16 wins, sharing the record with Gara Garayev and Rahid Amirguliyev. Mahmudov's impressive 30.77% victory rate is the highest among players with at least 16 wins.
Victory Leaders:
1. Rashad Sadygov – 20 wins (111 matches)
2. Badavi Huseynov – 20 (75)
3. Ramil Sheydayev – 17 (67)
4. Emin Mahmudov – 16 (52)
Rising Stars and High Percentages
Players with fewer matches often boast higher win percentages. For instance, Elvin Jafarguliyev has a 40% victory rate with 10 wins in 25 matches. Meanwhile, Musa Gurbanli has a remarkable 50% rate, with 7 victories in 14 appearances.
Among players with perfect records, Elmir Khankishiyev and Marcus Ferreira stand out, each contributing to two victories during their brief national careers.
Milestones and Challenges
Out of 303 matches played by Azerbaijan, the team has achieved 61 victories. While the journey has been tough, these moments of triumph inspire fans and players alike.
Vugar Khayrullayev
Idman.biz
