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HIDDINK: AZERBAIJAN IS NOT A WEAK TEAM
Guus Hiddink talks to Sport
Express ahead of today World Cup-2010 qualifier against Azerbaijan.
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Guus Hiddink Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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First of all Sport Express correspondent Igor Rabiner inquired
Russia's head coach whether he knows who is Azerbaijani team's home ground
is named after. The Tofik Bakhramov Stadium has been named after a famous
referee from Azerbaijan. Back in 1996 World Cup final England's Geoff
Hurst's shot on goals bounced off the crossbar downwards and then bounced
back to the field. Azerbaijani referee Tofik Bakhramov, who was a linesman
at that match, awarded England with this goal.
"I remember this referee!" Exclaimed Guus Hiddink. "He
is famous for his help to award a goal for England in the 1996 World Cup
final between England and Germany. If I am not mistaken he wore sweat
pants during that game".
"It's a rare thing that stadium is named in honour of a football
referee. Most frequently stadiums are named after the country's legend
or a club, player, coach or president. But referee is an integral part
of football, and Bakhramov's decision to award that goal to England made
him famous".
"I've never been to Azerbaijan yet, and unfortunately I can't say
that I know much about this country. To my mind, it should be a country
with rich history and culture. Of course I will try to collect as much
information about this country ahead of our return match against them".
"Azerbaijan defeated Finland in Euro-2008 qualifying campaign, and
it tells us that this nation is not among Europe's weakest teams. I made
sure of it when I watched their game against Finland in the current World
Cup-2010 qualifying group. Azerbaijani team is well-organized and their
players created many dangerous moments in front of Finnish goal".
"And their most significant advantage is their experienced and authoritative
head coach Berti Vogts. He is well known since his career as a player.
His coaching career is no less successful, since he won the European championship".
"He perfectly knows all details of international matches, and it
will create many troubles for Russia. He need to show our usual quick
football, otherwise the coming game will be very tough".
"I talked to Vogts several times and he told me that besides the
Azerbaijani national team he is interested in developing football in the
country. I am in the same situation here in Russia. Vogts is not the kind
of person, who is busy with other matters except football".
Sport
Express Daily, 28 Mar 2009
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