Azerbaijani Representative Sabah Advances to UEFA Champions League League Stage for the First Time in History

Sabah, the reigning champion of the Azerbaijan Premier League, managed to advance to the league stage of the UEFA Champions League by defeating Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 after extra time in the play-off return leg.

The Goal That Forced Extra Time Came in the 90+4th Minute

Having lost the first leg away 2-1, Sabah finished the regular time of the return match played in Baku with a 3-2 lead thanks to a goal found in the 90+4th minute, taking the tie to extra time.

Taking the advantage against their opponents who were left with 9 players in extra time, the Azerbaijani team scored two more goals to leave the pitch with a 5-2 victory and booked their name in the league stage.

Passed Four Rounds on the Road to the Champions League

Managed by Lithuanian coach Valdas Dambrauskas, Sabah eliminated Wales' New Saints, Finland's Kuopion, and Denmark's Aarhus sequentially in the qualifying rounds until reaching the league stage.

Finally eliminating Hapoel Beer Sheva in the play-off round, Sabah achieved the title of being the second Azerbaijani team to compete in the UEFA Champions League after Qarabag.

Success Achieved in a 9-Year History

Leaving behind 9 years since its establishment, the Azerbaijani representative has achieved the success of winning 1 league championship along with 2 consecutive Azerbaijan Cups in the last two seasons during this period.

Following this historical success, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also published a congratulatory message to celebrate the Sabah club.