Match № 37

The match № 37, play offs, ninth tournament day, match for the 11th place

AZERBAIJAN – BELARUS 1:1 (0:0), pen. 5:3

January 12th, 2013, Saint-Petersburg, PSG Zenit, 100 spectators

Referees: Ivan Sarayev, Ivan Abrosimov, Rustam Mukhtarov

Azerbaijan: Mammadov E., Badalov, Guliev (c,), Nagiev, Nasirov, Abdeullazada, Dzhafarov (Aleskerov, 46), Jamaladdinov, Rzayev (Aliev O., 46), Talybov (Diniyev, 36), Mammadov S. (Nasirli, 41)

Head coach: Arif Asadov

Belarus: Haritonovich, Gorbachik, Bondarenko (Kucherov, 84), Nazarenko, Kaborda (Ignatenko, 61), Morozov (Kaplenko, 67), Korzun (c) (Sidorenko, 77), Belevich (Patsko, 46), Yanchenko (Yarotsky, 55), Azerskiy, Rassadkin

Head coach: Andrey Pyshnik

Goals: Nasirli (71), Rassadkin (90)

Yellow cards: Mammadov S. (7), Nagiev (26), Aleskerov (63), Morozov (63), Ignatenko (71), Korzun (73), Patsko (80), Kucherov (86)

Red cards: Azerskiy (26)

Best players: Budag Nasirov, Valeriy Gorbachik

After match comments

Head coach of the team Azerbaijan Arif Asadov:

– We chose different game scheme today. At first my players were not very active but then we got the control of the game. There was a scoring moment and we could realize it. But in the end of the match we let the goal in because players relaxed and lost their concentration and the result was the draw. So there came the penalty shoot-out, which are always unpredictable like a lottery.

The team was new and we started trainings only 10 days before the beginning of the tournament. The participation in this competition gave us chance to see the performance of each player. In general, I'm satisfied with my team though there is still a lot of work left to do.

Head coach of the team Belarus Andrey Pyshnik:

– I have only positive impression of the match. The team played in minority but we followed our tactical scheme which has brought a result. I want to thank my players for their strong character. We were leading in the game before sending off but after that we kept on working hard, as if there were 11 players on the field. That was a good chance to prove that we have team.

Despite the place we took in the tournament table, I can say that the players were improving their skills in every game. We got the chance to play with great European football teams and showed good results. We got a good experience which will help us solving important problems. At this tournament our team has found their philosophy of a game and I'm sure we will play better in future.