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Mahmad Habibullayev: Victory over Azerbaijan will be the greatest success during my activity as coach

15 August 2007 14:15 (UTC +04:00)

â€œDiniyev is mistaken saying that Tajikistan football is weakâ€

Tajikistan national football team head coach Mahmad Habibullayev is interviewed by APA-Sport

-What did you think about offer to hold friendly match with Azerbaijan?
- I am grateful to AFFA leadership and Azerbaijan national team head coach for receiving our proposal. Despite our plans to hold friendly match against Saudi Arabia it did not happen for some reasons. We were happy to receive Azerbaijanâ€™s agreement.
- Tajikistan has not held matches during recent year. What is reason for that?

- You are right. We intended to meet Saudi Arabia following long pause. We had problems with head coach. My predecessor refused to resign for along time. This delayed my appointment and created problems for holding matches. It is already settled. We will meet Kazakhstan on September 8. This match will take place in Astana.

- What do you know about Azerbaijan team?
We have some information. We held discussions today. Azerbaijan national team is attending euro championship qualifying round. We know you won victory over Finland. You lost to Poland 1:3. I know your team nave Ukrainian, Serbian and Brazilian members.
- Did you watch any match of Azerbaijan?
- Azerbaijan is attending different European tournaments for which it is stronger than Tajikistan.
- Could you call Azerbaijan the favourite of the match in Dushanba?
- We have advantage of holding match in our place. It is friendly match. I need to check team as a new coach. It is preparation for Asian Cup. I think it will be interesting match.
- What is your prediction on the match?
-I do not like to predict. Moreover it is friendly match but not official. Despite this we will try to win. Victory over Azerbaijan will be the greatest success of my activity
-Do you information on Shahin Diniyev?

-I read his interview in Azerbaijan press. I think he does not see us as serious opponent. He said Tajikistan football is in bad condition. In my opinion he is mistaken on this issue. We will show Diniyev the true Tajikistan football. We will prove that Tajikistan team is not weaker than Kazakhstan.
- Azerbaijan met with Central Asian teams this year. Kazakhstan as well as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstanâ€¦
-I know it. I have watched these matches and took notes. I am waiting to hear the names of national Azerbaijan team. /APA-Sport/