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Karabakh enters UEFA Europa League group

29 August 2014 14:01 (UTC+04:00)
Karabakh enters UEFA Europa League group

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan's Karabakh FC defeated Dutch Twente on aggregate, making its international history as the club qualified for the UEFA Europa League group stage.

The return match at the Twente Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw on August 28, after the two clubs met with a goalless tie in Baku last week.

Twente's Luc Castaignos put his side ahead in the 37th minute. However, Muarem Muarem grabbed Karabakh's equalizer in the second half, sealing the club's European triumph.

The draw for the UEFA Europa League group stage will take place on August 29.

Karabakh is the second Azerbaijani team after Neftchi FC that will play in the group stage of the Europa League.

Commenting on his team's entering to the group stage, Karabakh's midfielder Gara Garayev said, "We have taken this tour and we are very excited about this. We dedicate this victory to Azerbaijan and Karabakh refugees."

"Based on the game, I thought we had to go through this round. Thank God, we have succeeded. We are very happy and share our joy with all Azerbaijanis. Congratulations to all for this victory. Five years ago, I was not able to play in Enschede, but today, we have passed Twente. Thank you all. Pray for us," he added.

President of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) Rovnag Abdullayev congratulated Karabakh FC for this victory and wished them more successes and achievements.

"Demonstrating a high level of professionalism and dedication, champion of Azerbaijan Karabakh reached the group stage of the Europa League and gave great joy to us all," he stressed.

"I would like to note that the loyal support of the team's fans has played a significant role in this achievement," he added.

Abdullayev noted that by achieving success in the fight against a strong opponent, Karabakh has showed once again how football has progressed in Azerbaijan in recent years.

"I hope they will show their diligence and professionalism in the group stage and will delight us with a bright game and set another record in the history of football in Azerbaijan," he said.

Head coach of Twente Alfred Schreuder remained unsatisfied with the game.

"I am very upset. We had a good match. Even after a missed goal, we played well. We did not have 100 percent moments to score the second goal. Now we will fully focus on the national championship," he said.

President of Neftchi FC Sadiq Sadiqov also sent a congratulatory letter to his counterpart Abdulbari Gozal.

Neftchi finished its participation in the Europa League play-offs after the game with Serbian Partizan on August 28.

Karabakh Aghdam club, formed in 1951, is one of the two teams in Azerbaijan, along with Neftchi Baku, that has participated in all Azerbaijan Premier League championships to date.

The club is immensely well supported around Azerbaijan, mainly because it is the only team representing the war-torn Nagorno-Karabakh region in the league.

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