Ali Aliyev: “I thank the players and the fans for their support”

“It is very difficult to speak after such a match. At the start, while the Welsh players still had energy, we gave up the initiative, but then we adjusted our game. In general, there were not many chances in the first half – we needed to endure it, and for the second half we had a strategy, taking into account the artificial pitch, the support of the fans and the fatigue that would come with time.

In the second half we made corrections, and the players improved – they started to produce what we wanted to see. I think the players understand this and enjoy doing it. Unfortunately, today, as in the match against North Macedonia, luck turned away from us, but luck comes through hard work.

I thank the players, I thank the fans for pushing the team forward. The team felt their support – we love our fans. Unfortunately, the ball did not cross the line: in two games we have hit the crossbar five times,” said Aliyev.