Hadzievski restores Azeri absentees

Gjoko Hadzievski has named what may be his first and last Azerbaijan squad after being hired to lead them through their last qualifiers against Finland and Belgium.

Stalwarts return
The Macedonian, who replaced Shakhin Diniyev last week after his predecessor resigned following a 6-1 home defeat against Serbia, has brought PFC Neftchi duo Rashad F. Sadygov and Zaur Tagizade back to the national team after a long absence along with Azerbaijan's all-time top scorer Zaur Ramazanov. "I know a lot about how to deal with players," said Hadzievski. "I invited the players, who earned my trust." Azerbaijan play Finland in Helsinki on 17 November, ending their campaign against Belgium in Baku four days later.

Azerbaijan squad
Goalkeepers: Farkhad Veliyev (FK Karabakh), Rauf Mehdiyev (FK Olimpik Baku), Kamran Arhayev (FK Khazar Lenkoran).

Defenders: Rashad F. Sadygov (PFC Neftchi), Rail Melikov (PFC Neftchi), Ramin Guliyev (PFC Neftchi), Emin Guliyev (FK Khazar Lenkoran), Elnur Abbasov (FK Baku), Elvin Aliyev (FK Olimpik Baku), Usima Nduka (FK Olimpik Baku), Aslan Kerimov (FK Karabakh), Sasha Junusogli (Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski).

Midfielders: Zaur Tagizade (PFC Neftchi), Andre Ladaga (FK Baku), Jemshid Maharramov (FK Baku), Makhmud Gurbanov (FC Inter Baku), Emin Imamaliev (FC Inter Baku), Elmar Bakhshiev (FK Khazar Lenkoran).

Forwards: Branimir Subašić (PFC Neftchi), Zaur Ramazanov (PFC Neftchi), Khagani Mamedov (FC Inter Baku), Leandro Gomes (FK Baku).