10.10.01 Ponomarev s contract to expire The contract between AFFA and Igor Ponomarev expired on October 7. The National coach, who s citizen of Sweden, decided to stay at home after the recent WC 2002 Qualifying game between Sweden and Azerbaijan. I decided to stay home for a while.
Coaches needs in rest too.
As for now, I have no idea whether the contract will be prolonged or not. At this time, Azeri famous coaches Agasalim Mirjavadov and Kazbek Tuaev are rumoured to be possible receivers of Ponomarev. Mirjavadov was the one who led FC Shamkir to two league titles in row, and Tuaev is a former forward of USSR team, who s currently in charge of FC Neftchi Baku. Anders Svensson opened the scoring for home side in the 51-th minute, Larsson continued with a penalty converted in the 61th minute and Zlatan Ibrahimovich added third goal ten minutes later. Shafa's goalkeeper Elshan Poladov was man of the match for visitors side, as Azeri U-21 team played their best away game ever.