National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Azerbaijan's Müslüm Yolçiyev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mohammad Laref in the 2nd minute of play. Mohammad Laref in the 3rdth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Müslüm Yolçiyev, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Thanks to some nice moves Mohammad Laref could shoot a difficult shot in the 13th minute, which Müslüm Yolçiyev however easily saved by the left post. After a defensive mix-up in MZ Country's zone, Hidayät Bayramov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Yahia van der Saar came out of the goal and Hidayät Bayramov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Hidayät Bayramov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Yahia van der Saar having to interfere. In the 24th minute Medjadi Amri shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Müslüm Yolçiyev saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 30th minute, Mohammad Laref got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 34 minutes into the match, Azerbaijan's goal looked a bit too open when Amar Mérah-Benida came free, but Müslüm Yolçiyev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. MZ Country's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Amar Mérah-Benida in the 35th minute. The corner led MZ Country's Amar Mérah-Benida to fire away a dangerous shot which Müslüm Yolçiyev despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. If Hidayät Bayramov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Azerbaijan getting a freekick after 45 minutes play. Mikayıl Atäşi hit a great ball. In the 46th minute of the match, Mohammad Laref got a very nice opportunity to score, but Müslüm Yolçiyev was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Mohammad Laref to make the kick off. In the 53rd minute Häsrät Azamämmädov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Yahia van der Saar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Amar Mérah-Benida sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. MZ Country's Yahia van der Saar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Häsrät Azamämmädov in the 63rd minute of play. If Mohammad Laref had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 67th minute Mohammad Laref shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Müslüm Yolçiyev saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 69th minute of the match MZ Country got a corner. Azerbaijan's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Amar Mérah-Benida ran over to the corner to take the kick. Mohammad Laref sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 74th minute Hacimirzä Nadirov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Yahia van der Saar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 78 minutes into the game, Xaläddin Näbiyev cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Yahia van der Saar was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. MZ Country's Ismael Guessoum was substituted for Mohammad Laref. The supporters of MZ Country booed when Azerbaijan was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hacimirzä Nadirov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Azerbaijan's Müslüm Yolçiyev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ismael Guessoum in the 86th minute of play. Häsrät Azamämmädov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Yahia van der Saar having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Xaläddin Näbiyev in the 92nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Yahia van der Saar prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Yahia van der Saar showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Häsrät Azamämmädov, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. Amar Mérah-Benida received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 95th minute. Müslüm Yolçiyev tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Azerbaijan had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.