Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

AZFAR Business League - ABL Cup 2017/18 among Azerbaijani continues in Baku.The mini-football championship Azfar Business League of such format and scale is held for the first time in Azerbaijan and takes place on the professional pitches of the AZFAR company, Trend Life reported.

The tournament is organized by ASEP (AZFAR SPORT EVENT & PROMOTION).

The second day of the play-off stage took place on November 26.

Sixteen teams competed for places from 1 to 16.

The game between "Buta Palace" and "City taxi" was remembered by equal play and intense opposition. Ultimately, Buta Palace's team was able to overcome the opponent with 2-1 score. I remember how, when applying for participation in the championship, "Buta Palace" footballers stated that they could be a "black horse" among the other teams.

"Maybe we are not so famous, but we are a strong and well-coordinated team, and you will see it in the Business League," one of the players said.

Thus, "Buta Palace" has already entered its name in the history of the first championship of the Business League.

The "City Taxi" team has good chances to take a worthy place among 16 teams, replenishing its rating and players statistics.

The match between "M Group Production" and "Polatyol" was very tense. Footballers of "Polatyol" got one yellow and one red card. Passions raged not only on the field, but also after the match. In this game, "Polatyol" all won with a score of 5-1. The team showed a very close-knit game. The desire for victory was expressed by restraint and coolness, despite the fact that clashes and tension between the teams was observed throughout the match. The goalkeeper Vusal Yagubov was forced to leave the field because of a hand injury. Young team "M Group Production" has established itself as one of the favorites of the tournament. Even in the group tour, interest in the game and the team's victories was high. The desire to confirm the reputation, and at the same time, rudeness and imprudence, entailed certain losses and the first defeat in the tournament.

Let's see how this will affect the further game of the team.

The game "Azecolab" and "Təmiz şəhər" also turned out to be interesting and tense. Both teams of the team as always showed a very tactful and interesting game. The goalkeeper of "Təmiz Şəhər" was removed, which may have affected the final outcome of the match with a score of 4-0 in favor of "Azecolab". Tactical game of "Təmiz Şəhər" team led it to the victories during the qualifying games. The first defeat from one of the strongest opponents knocked the team out of the fight for the championship title. "Azecolab", without violating traditions, approaches the cherished cup of the Business League. The team with its beautiful game deserved much attention, as evidenced by the large number of spectators and statistics of the team.

The match between "Gilan Holding" and "KaTv1" was also interesting.

Each team wanted to win, but "Gilan Holding" showed one of its best games, with a score 9: 2. The team "Gilan Holding" is known for its participation in many tournaments, where it held high places.

The game between "Azersun" and "Iteca" ended with an obvious victory with a score of 6-1. The team "Azersun" in its style, without changing the traditions, again showed an entertaining and interesting game. Heroes of the match, as well as in the whole championship, Eyyub Efendiyev and Faraj Farzaliev again filled up their baskets with goals and scoring assists.

The team "Iteca" will still show itself in the future championship. We will follow the fate of the team at the tournament.

The game "Universal" and "Port of Baku" turned out to be quite spectacular. The match ended with a score of 7-3 in favor of "Universal".

With its original tactics, "Universal" team strengthens its positions and prospects to the prize-winning places of the championship. "Port of Baku" with its beautiful game and excessive aggression was still weaker, but did not diminish its status, remaining one of the strongest teams of the Business League.

The match between "Embawood" and "Muğanbank" as a result of a bitter struggle ended with the victory of bankers with a score of 7-4. "Muğanbank" entered the field in a new form, prepared specifically for this championship. Since first minutes "Embawood" seemed a little unorganized, which led to several missed balls. At the end of the match, players "Embawood" still managed to reduce the huge advantage in the account. The loss knocked the team out of the fight for prizes, but the professional approach to the championship, a wonderful game in the qualifying matches, discipline and corporate spirit made "Embawood" a very noticeable team of the tournament.

Let's dwell on the most interesting game of this day between "Silk Way Group" and "ATL Tech". Passion, rage, tension, rudeness, combined with tactics, technique, and the desire to win! There were cards and injuries - two ATL Tech players were taken out of the field by a team of doctors. The main time ended with a score of 2-2. There was an extra time - 5 minutes.

"ATL Tech" gained the victoryover "Silk Way Group" with a score 3-2.

Looking forward to the next game. We are sure that it will be no less interesting and exciting, because the final is fast approaching. We wish all teams good preparation, early recovery and further victories!

A detailed report on each match is posted on the website: www.abl.az

Here you can get acquainted with the participants of the championship, groups and time of the games, get a lot of useful information.

Richard Almeida, a football midfielder currently playing for Azerbaijan’s FC Qarabag became the face of ABL Cup.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ablcup/

Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews.az, Dsport.az, ATV

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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