Azerbaijan’s team qualify for 2nd group phase of World Cup Qualifier

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

After defeating Bulgaria 4-1, Azerbaijan’s national beach soccer team has progressed to the second group phase of the World Cup Qualifier in Jesolo, Italy, Azertac reported.

Asif Zeynalov, Abdul Aliyev, Ilkin Hajiyev and Orkhan Mammadov scored for the national team.

Azerbaijan secured the spot after ranking 2nd in Group G with 6 points.

Azerbaijan will next face Denmark.

The national beach soccer team could achieve many successes in short timeframe. In 2009 Azerbaijani team participated in Castellon Qualifier for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and reached quarterfinal.

Later, beach soccer team participated in BSWW Euro Beach Soccer League 2009 and passed to promo final as group leader. Thus, Azerbaijan national beach soccer team became one of the 10 most powerful teams of Europe.

In May 2010 the team participated in international competition Alanya Cup 2010, wining the second place. The same year national team took part in Euro Beach Soccer League held in Lignano, Italy, and won the ticket (as a group leader) to EBSL 2010 promo final in Lisbon, Portugal.

In 2011, the national soccer players reached the 1/8 stage at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier held in Bibione, Italy.