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Revival in Azerbaijan football took place in 2004. Several football clubs were created in the regions, as a result of interest of businessmen to the most popular kind of sports. Despite the fact that, the purpose of newly-created clubs was strengthening in the league in which they participate, in Azerbaijan this process did not passed in the traditional form. New clubs have joined struggle for high places that has in turn led to intense competitiveness in the league.

 

Taking the place among new clubs "Khazar-Lenkoran" unexpectedly did not hide the desire of the champion's title in the first season, and has taken the big steps on a way to achievement of this purpose. Already after the first matches of the championship, Rasim Kara from Turkey was appointed as a head coach of the team. His arrival has made the big stir in the country. In spite of the fact that in his speech of Rasim Kara expressed about unpleasant conditions in the Azerbaijan football, he has declared about fast positive result of the done jobs. Rasim Kara, with the big support of the club management, first of all, has put a basis of establishment in "Khazar-Lenkoran" and, since the middle of the season "Khazar-Lenkoran" was playing home games in own area and the club has lodged on the base belonging to club. At this time the club has involved a star of world level in the structure. Oktay Dereliogly who had used to play for Turkey national team, Turkish leading clubs as "Beshiktash" and "Galatasaray", was stamping goals for "Khazar-Lenkoran". As a result of successful results in the second circle of the season 2004/2005, "Khazar-Lenkoran" was brilliant candidate for the champion's title.

 

For the reason that in the end of the season "Khazar-Lenkoran" and "Neftchi" had an iequal quantity of points, there was a need to carrying out of an additional, "Golden" match. Clearness to destiny of gold medals has come on 10th of June 2005 year, at Ganja city stadium. Despite the fact that "Khazar-Lenkoran" was better in the beginning of the match and even has scored a goal, "Neftchi", having more professional football players in the its squad, has changed the score to own advantage and has seized the champion title. But "Khazar-Lenkoran" left the field of Ganja city stadium with the applause of 25 thousand spectators which they have earned with the performance in the current season.

 

In spite of the fact that it was specified in a season of 2005/2006 "Khazar-Lenkoran" as the candidate for the champion's title, the season has turned out not such successful. Change of the head coach too has not brought expected results. That season for "Khazar-Lenkoran" was remembered by only two moments – the club has reached a semi-final of the country cup, and also the second circle of the championship "Khazar-Lenkoran" has finished without defeats. In the end of an unsuccessful season the club has solved on repeated replacement of the head coach and the most titled trainer of the country, Agaselim Mirdzhavadov has been appointed as the head coach of "Khazar-Lenkoran". Mirdzhavadov, who know success ways, by realisation of several transfers into the club has presented Lenkoran grandiose year.

 

The first match of the season in Lenkoran was remembered by unforgettable scenes. As in the second match of the championship "Khazar-Lenkoran" played againts "Neftchi". In the matchday, remembered by opening «the Central Stadium of Khazar Lenkoran», the president of the country, Mr. Ilham Aliyev has visited our stadium. Mr. Ilham Aliyev was photographed for memory with the club and has symbolically made the first shoot of the ball. And in the evening 15 thousands-army of the fans collected on «the Central Stadium Khazar Lenkoran», celebrated a victory of "Khazar-Lenkoran" over "Neftchi".

 

The club has confidently acted throughout all season and in last match of the championship, having won in Gabale the local command with the same name with the score 4:0 has taken gold medals. On 28th of May, 2007, in the Day of Republic, in the country cup-final, "Khazar-Lenkoran" played against the representative of Imishli, "MKT-Araz". In struggle of two provincial clubs Lady Luck has smiled to the representative of Lenkoran. Thus, expected and wished «gold double» was embodied in a reality and "Khazar-Lenkoran" finished the season as the champion and the owner of the cup of the country.

 

Deserved the right of representation of Azerbaijan in the Champions League, "Khazar-Lenkoran" by results of the draw, had to play against the most difficult contender. The Croatian "Dynamo", in due time made a stir in Europe, became the contender of our club. In spite of the fact that in the first match which was played in Baku representative of Lenkoran has opened the score, visitors could provide themselves with the draw. The second match has passed under the scenario of the first. In spite of the fact that the Croatian fans expected a confident victory of the Dynamo, Khazar-Lenkoran first has opened the score again, thereby having sent all Zagreb to a state of shock. But more skilled Croatians could score a reciprocal goal more close by the match end, thereby have stretched the decision of destiny of the match to the extra time. And only in the extra time, having lost to the contender, "Khazar-Lenkoran" remained without Euro cups.

 

Despite this "Khazar-Lenkoran" has forced to speak about itself outside of Azerbaijan. As, the club has proudly presented Azerbaijan in the «Commonwealth Cup» in which champions of the countries of Commonwealth and Baltic play. Won first place in group where besides our club were playing champions of Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, in next stage "Khazar-Lenkoran" has beaten out from tournament of the champion of Moldova "Sheriff". As a result of the semifinal match with the champion of Belarus "BATE", Lenkoran side has reached the final. The final, which has involved the big weight of fans, played between "Khazar-Lenkoran" and the champion of Uzbekistan "Pahtakor". The match has been watched by the president of FIFA J.Blatter, the president of UEFA M.Platini and president RFU V.Mutko. In spite of the fact that in the first half Uzbeks came forward twice, the clubs went to at the draw score 2:2. The goal of Zaur Ramazanov presidents of FIFA and UEFA gave a standing ovation. As a result of control of the match in the second half, "Khazar-Lenkoran" won with the score 4:3 and has brought a cup to Azerbaijan.

 

The squad has been met as heroes at the International Airport named after of Heydar Aliyev.

 

The country leaders, constantly supporting football, not remained away from this event too. The president of the Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev has accepted victorious squad of "Khazar-Lenkoran" due to significant victory in the presidential residence. After a congratulation of clubmen, the president of the country has wished more victories in the future competitions. Mr. Ilham Aliyev has specified that the victory of "Khazar-Lenkoran" shows the level of the football development in the regions of Azerbaijan. The honourable president of the club, Mr. Mubariz Mansimov, has told that for worthy representation of the country they will endeavour with more feedback. After the meeting the president of the country was photographed for memory with all members of the team.

 

In the season of 2007/2008 "Khazar-Lenkoran" has obtained one more title. Having allocated the basic forces for «Commonwealth Cup» our club experienced difficulties in struggle in three fronts (the championship and the cup of the country, and also «Commonwealth Cup). Early lost of chances ofr the champion's title, our players compensated it in struggle for the cup. In the final match played at the Republic Stadium named after T.Bahramov,"Khazar-Lenkoran"played against capital representative - "Inter". In the end of the dramatic match, Lady Luck has smiled to"white-green" football players. Despite total advantage of our club, the main time of the match has ended with the score 0:0. And in an extra time has stepped on the stage Junior Osvaldo, who has passed from the most part of the season and «Commonwealth Cup» due injuries. In the beginning of the second extra time the Brazilian has entered into ecstasy lenkoranian fans, by having executed penalty kick excellently. It was expected that "Inter" to rescue the match will go on storm of our gate in last minutes, but our players have proved the superiority by scoring second goal. And this time the opponent was afflicted with the hero of the match - Junior. That fact is interesting that some days before a cup-final "bankers" have won for the first time gold medals of the championship of Azerbaijan.

 

The club has begun a new season with the new head coach. Actually, Agaselim Mirdzhavadov remained as the head coach of the club for some time. But failure in the meetings with Czech "Lech" in struggle for the UEFA Cup, has forced to dissolve ways with the skilled expert. It would be wrong to "brand" the activity of the trainer who has won four titles in two years with "Khazar-Lenkoran" with an epithet "unsatisfactorily". The club management just clearly shown the need in success in struggle for the continental cups and felt need in transformations for the sake of results in international scene. Some days before start of championship of the country, Rasim Kara having serious merits in front of the club in creation and acquisition of the professional status, has been called back.

 

Unfortunately, the Turkish expert could not continue the beginning of successful start. Exclamations of the protest of fans have raised after two home defeats in a row. At press conference after the home match against "Garabakh" (1:3) Rasim Kara declared the decision of resignation.

 

Compulsory change of the manager did not promise anything good. Many people understood that change of the tcoach during the season is an undesirable process. But it was already late. Kara has been discharged. With the reason not to miss preparation for the second circle of the championship, Igor Ponomarev, the master of penalty kicks and one of the best football players grown up on Azerbaijan, has been quickly appointed as head coach. The winner of the Seul Olympic Games has found in himself boldness to promise a champion's title to "Khazar-Lenkoran" fans, which was on 5 points lagged behind the leader. Promised at least to gain the national cup in the third consecutive time or take place in Euro cups to please fans, I.Ponomarev could not carry out the plans. Having said “goodbye” on ending in struggle for a cup of the country on ¼ stage, "Khazar-Lenkoran" could not show anything in the national championship as well. Our club hoping at first on "gold", and then simple on Euro cups, in a sensational kind has lost on the home field to "Gabala", to whom never lost in the history, and has then suffered defeat in Guzanly settlement of Agdam region to "Garabakh". Despite a victory (3:1) in the last match of the season, bearing formal character against "Simurg", our club has lost chances of participation in Euro cups. One and half month later, after long deliberations, I.Ponomarev has been resignated. The club management in the third time in one year has begun searches of the head coach.

 

Next season started again with a new old coach. Aghasalim Mirjavadov became "Khazar Lankaran" manager for the second time. Although the season was giving hopes, final result has not been successful. Having a real chance to win the league till the last matchday, "Khazar Lankaran" finished the season even outside of the top three - on the fourth position. The team also reachd the Cup final and lost there too. There were Europa League qualification ahead, and here "Khazar Lankaran" faced with Moldovian "Olimpiya". First match finished with a goalless draw, but in Lankaran both teams scored once, and it meant, that "Khazar Lankaran" was knocked-out of the competition.

 

As a result of all of this management decided to resign Aghasalim Mirjavadov. So, with too little time remaining till the start of the 2010/2011 season Romanian specialist Mircea Rednic has been appointed as a new head coach. Despite of having little time for preparations and being unaware of Azerbaijan football, Rednic created a team within a short period and started to play for the champion title.

Difficulties had place, but the manager's job was obvious. Bringing a number of footballer also during the winter break, head coach finally could complete a squad, which is capable for struggling for high positions. As a result "Khazar Lankaran" finished the league with silver medal. But the best achievement of the season is a national cup, which our team got third time in its history. 

 

 

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   Kh. Lankaran     1:1   Gabala    

   

   Unibank Preimer League

  Lankaran Central Stadium

  5th of May, 17:30

                          
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  Kh. Lankaran     4:1   Garabagh    

   

   Unibank Preimer League

  Lankaran Central Stadium

  11th of May, 17:30
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  Kh. Lankaran     -:-   Garabagh    

   

   Unibank Preimer League

  Lankaran Central Stadium

  11th of May

   

                         
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  Kh. Lankaran     -:-   Garabagh    
   
   Unibank Preimer League
  Lankaran Central Stadium
  11th of May
    
  
  
   
  
  
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  Kh. Lankaran     -:-   Garabagh    
   
   Unibank Preimer League
  Lankaran Central Stadium
  11th of May