Sabah midfielder Abdulla Khaybullayev interview with Sportal.az
- You qualified for the finals after a 1:1 draw with Neftchi in the cup match. Did you expect the match to be so tense?
- Of course, we expected the match to be so difficult. We assumed that Neftchi would attack from the first minutes. To be honest, it was difficult. In the first half, Neftchi had the advantage. They were able to create several goal episodes. However, after the break, we had many goal episodes, but we could not take advantage of them. This season, we create goal episodes, but we cannot score them. In any case, we achieved the desired result in the match with Neftchi and now we are in the final.
- You played dominant football in both halves of the first match, but in the return match, you could not do it in the first half. Was the head coach's task to play on the counterattack?
- No, there was no such task. I wouldn't say that we played badly. It's just that Neftchi was good at attacking. But despite this, I wouldn't say that we had a bad first half, we played normally.
- Filip Ozobich had three consecutive goal episodes. What if they had resulted in a goal?
- Of course, if those episodes had resulted in a goal, it would have been a strong blow for us. It's good that there were no goals. I also thank Stas Pokatilov for saving us in those episodes. In fact, we had many goal episodes after the break. But we couldn't take advantage of them... I don't know why. As I said earlier, we create many goal episodes during the season, but we don't succeed.
- You will face Qarabag in the final. There is a month until the match. But, probably, there is already a final atmosphere, a desire?
- This is the first time we will play in the final. We will go into the match with great desire. This is our cup and we must win it.
- If we cannot win the cup, qualifying for the European Cups will not happen. Is this a double motivation or pressure for you?
- Of course, this will be a double motivation for us. Our work in the championship is not going well. We really want to go to the European Cups. We have one way, let's go to Europe by winning the cup.
- After Vasily Berezutsky's arrival, you play more in the starting lineup. From the new season, the legionnaire limit will not be applied in the Premier League. Is this an issue that worries you?
- No, the fact that the legionnaire limit will not be applied does not worry me. Because strong competition is always good. I am not afraid of competition. If I am strong, I will play. If not, that player will play.
- You did not leave Sabah on time, you went to Georgia and played on loan at Samtrediya. You also had goals and assists there. Did living as a legionnaire in Georgia help you to be in the starting lineup at Sabah now?
- Of course. Playing in Georgia gave me great experience. I played a lot of games, scored goals, made assists. True, it wasn't much. But in any case, my legionnaire life in Georgia gave me experience.
- Is your contract with Sabah expiring?
- No, I still have one year left on my contract. I will try to do my best for Sabah.
Idman.biz
