Azerbaijanis find way out
Sunday, July 14, 2002
Article summary
With their domestic game in turmoil, two Azerbaijani players have made history in the Ukraine.
Article body
Kyamal Guliyev and Samir Aliyev made history at the weekend as they became the first Azerbaijanis to play in the Ukrainian Premier League.
New boys
Guliyev and Aliyev both featured for new boys SC Volyn-1 Lutsk as they recorded a 2-0 victory over FC Metalist Kharkiv on Friday. The double signing is perhaps the first of many, given the difficulties facing football in Azerbaijan at present.
In turmoil
Both Azerbaijani internationals signed from FC Neftchi, who withdrew from the national championship in the spring in protest at the league’s governing body and formed their own alternative league with nine other clubs. The clubs were subsequently removed from European competitions by UEFA, and certain players felt they would prefer to pursue their fortunes elsewhere, especially when the powers that be in Azeri football failed to agree on the start of a new league championship again last week.
Uncertain situation
"The situation in Azerbaijani football sparked this move," Guliyev said after the game with Metalist. "Nobody in my country knows what is going to happen tomorrow - will there be a championship? Or will football cease to exist?"
Aliyev grabs Volyn’s first goal
However, Volyn will be delighted with their new arrivals after recording their first win – and scoring their first goal - in the Ukrainian top flight. And it was Aliyev who grabbed the goal that put Volyn in the driving seat before they coasted to the 2-0 win.
