Azerbaijan Premier League

Azerbaijan Premier League
Countries  Azerbaijan
Confederation UEFA
Founded 1992
Number of teams 12
Levels on pyramid 1
Relegation to Azerbaijan First Division
Domestic cup(s) Azerbaijan Cup
International cup(s) Champions League
Europa League
Current champions Neftchi Baku
(2010-11)
Most championships Neftchi Baku (6 titles)
TV partners AzTV, Idman Azerbaijan TV
Website http://www.pfl.az
2011–12 Azerbaijan Premier League

The Azerbaijan Premier League (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası), currently named Unibank Premyer Liqası after its main sponsor, is the top tier in Azerbaijani club football.

The Azerbaijan Premier League was organized in 2007 and succeeded the Top Division (Azerbaijani: Yüksək Liqa), the difference being that the Top Division was run by the Professional Football League of Azerbaijan, and the creation of the Premier League gave the clubs a greater degree of independence. The Top Division had existed from 1992 to 2007.

Since 1992, a total of 8 clubs have been crowned champions of the Azerbaijani football system. Neftchi Baku are the current Azerbaijan Premier League champions.[1]

Contents

History

The 1990s

The league were dominated by teams like Neftchi Baku, Kapaz, Turan Tovuz and FK Shamkir. However, financial struggles had bad impact on local clubs and most teams such as Khazri Buzovna, FK Shamkir, Vilash Masalli and Shafa Baku went bust due increasing debts.[2] In 1997, Kapaz were known for their unbeaten run as club's final record for the 1997–1998 league campaign stood at 22 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, out of 26 games total, an unbeaten run not matched in any single season by any team in an Azerbaijani league division.[3]

The 2000s

As league entered a new century, the Neftchi Baku found themselves facing new challengers. They were challenged by emerging Khazar Lankaran, Inter Baku and FC Baku in both competitions. The country's football received major blow in 2002, when UEFA imposed two year ban in response to a long-standing conflict between the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and majority of the country's top flight clubs.[4] The domestic championship was abandoned as a result of the conflict and the top clubs prevented their players from playing for the national team, with tax officials also probing allegations of fraud at the Azerbaijan federation.[5] Under the management of Agaselim Mirjavadov, Khazar Lankaran finished as Azerbaijan Cup winners in 2006 and 2007, while becoming league champions in 2006 despite losing the title to Neftchi in 2004 during Championship play-off. FK Qarabağ was the first ever team from Azerbaijan to reach UEFA Europa League play off-round during the seasons 2009-10 and 2010-11. Few gave chances for qualification to the next round, although the Aghdam side caused quite a stir against favorites Rosenborg BK, FC Honka, FC Twente and Wisła Kraków.

The 2010s

The 2010s brought a bright start, with Neftchi reached their 6th title after six years of unsuccessful run.[6][7]

Competition format

There are 12 teams in the competition. A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Azerbaijan Premier League and the Azerbaijan First Division. The two lowest placed teams in Premier League are relegated to the First Division, and the top two teams from the First Division are promoted to Premier League.

The league is competed in two stages. The first stage consists of a regular home-and-away round-robin schedule for a total of 22 matches per team. The competition will then be split in half with each team will take over to the respective grou records earned against the remaining 5 teams from their first round group. The teams ranked first through sixth will play out the championship and the European spots while the bottom six teams will have to avoid one of the two relegation places.[8][9]

The league typically runs from August to May.

Qualification for European competitions

The champions qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the second and third placed teams qualifies for the UEFA Europa League.

Sponsorship

Talks began with UniBank and a deal was confirmed shortly afterwards. A three-year deal came into effect from 24 September 2009.[10][11]

As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Premier League has a number of official partners and suppliers. The official ball supplier for the league is Adidas who is providing their Jabulani match ball for the season.[13]

Media coverage

AzTV, Space TV and Lider TV currently own all the rights to broadcast the season's games on terrestrial TV.[14][15][16] In Azerbaijan, the Premier League is also available on Idman Azerbaycan TV.

Members of the Azerbaijan Premier League (2011–12 season)

Main article: 2011–12 Azerbaijan Premier League

MOIK Baku were relegated to the Azerbaijan First Division after finishing 12th and last, at the end of last season. They were replaced by First Division champions FC Absheron and runners-up Ravan Baku. However, due sponsorship problems Absheron became defunct and will be replaced by Sumgayit City F.C..[17]

Location of teams in 2011-12 Azerbaijan Premier League
Team Location Venue Capacity[18]
AZAL Baku AZAL Stadium 3,000
FK Baku Baku Tofig Bahramov Stadium 30,000
Gabala Gabala Gabala City Stadium 2,000
Inter Baku Shafa Stadium 8,150
Kəpəz Ganja Ganja City Stadium 25,000
Khazar Lankaran Lankaran City Stadium 15,000
Neftchi Baku Tofig Bahramov Stadium 30,000
Qarabağ Agdam Guzanli Olympic Stadium 2,000
Ravan Baku Baku Dalga Arena 6,500
Simurq Zaqatala Zaqatala City Stadium 3,500
Sumgayit Sumqayit Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium 16,000
Turan Tovuz Tovuz City Stadium 10,000

Statistics

Attendance

Season
 Total attendance
 Number of
matches		 Average attendance
per match		 Ref
2001–02 187,929 171 1,099 [19]
League was cancelled - - -
2003–04 195,840 144 1,360 [20]
2004–05 470,670 290 1,623 [20]
2005–06 183,365 169 1,085 [20]
2006–07 225,216 144 1,564 [20]
2007–08 277,667 169 1,643 [20]
2008–09 287,469 169 1,701 [20]
2009–10 319,941 171 1,871 [21]
2010–11 393,129 171 2,299 [21]
2011–12 78,800 22 3,581 [22]

Records

Players in the Premier League compete for the Azerbaijan Premier League Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer at the end of each season. Nazim Aliyev is the league's all-time top scorer with 183 goals, including 39 in the 1992 season.[23]During the 1995–96 season he became the first player to score 100 Premier League goals. Since then, 10 other players have reached the 100-goal mark.[23]

Top Ten Highest Goalscorers[24][25]
Player Period Club[26] Goals
1 Nazim Aliyev 1988–1999 Neftchi Baku 183
2 Mushfig Huseynov 19??–2007 FK Qarabağ 125
3 Rovshan Ahmadov 19??–???? Kapaz 116
4 Gurban Gurbanov 1990–2006 Neftchi Baku 115
5 Samir Alakbarov 1987–2001 Neftchi Baku 115
6 Alay Bahramov 1983–1999 FK Masallı 108
7 Vadim Vasilyev 1994–2007 Baki Fehlesi 102
8 Khagani Mammadov 1994–present Inter Baku 102
9 Kanan Karimov 199?–present FK Shamkir 101
10 Nadir Nabiyev 1995–present Turan Tovuz 100
Top Ten Players With Most Appearances[27][28][29]
Player Period Club[30] Games
1 Mahmud Gurbanov 1990–present Kapaz 396
2 Aslan Kerimov 1990–2011 FK Qarabağ 383
3 Agil Mammadov 199?–2011 Turan Tovuz 361
4 Ismayil Mammadov 1991–2009 FK Shamkir 351
5 Azer Mammadov 1992–present Kapaz 349
6 Kanan Karimov 199?–present FK Shamkir 327
7 Mubariz Orujov 1991–2008 Khazar Lankaran 311
8 Mushfig Huseynov 19??–2007 FK Qarabağ 305
9 Adahim Niftaliyev 19??–present Khazar Lankaran 303
10 Kamal Guliyev 1997–2009 Neftchi Baku 302

Player records

As of 14 August 2011

Club records

As of 14 August 2011

Soviet time champions

  • 1928: Progress-2 Baku
  • 1929-33: unknown
  • 1934: Profsoyuz Baku
  • 1935: Stroitel Yuga Baku
  • 1936: Stroitel Yuga Baku
  • 1937: Lokomotiv Baku
  • 1938: Lokomotiv Baku
  • 1939: Lokomotiv Baku
  • 1940: Lokomotiv Baku
  • 1941-43: unknown
  • 1944: Dinamo Baku
  • 1945: Not Played
  • 1946: Lokomotiv Baku
  • 1947: Trudovye Rezervy Baku
  • 1948: KKF Baku
  • 1949: KKF Baku
  • 1950: Iskra Baku
  • 1951: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1952: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1953: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1954: Zavod im. S.M.Budennogo Baku
  • 1955: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1956: NPU Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1957: NPU Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1958: NPU Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
  • 1959: Baku Teams(Spartakiada)
  • 1960: OIK Baku
  • 1961: Spartak Quba
  • 1962: OIK Baku
  • 1963: Araz Baku
  • 1964: Polad Sumgait
  • 1965: Vostok Baku
  • 1966: Vostok Baku
  • 1967: Araz Baku
  • 1968 OIK Baku
  • 1969 Araz Baku
  • 1970 OIK Baku
  • 1971 Khimik Salyany
  • 1972 Surahanets Baku
  • 1973 Araz Baku
  • 1974 Araz Baku
  • 1975 Araz Baku
  • 1976 Araz Baku
  • 1977 Karabakh Khankendi
  • 1978 SKIF Baku
  • 1979 OIK Baku
  • 1980 Energetik Ali-Bayramly
  • 1981 Gandjlik Baku
  • 1982 Tokhudju Baku
  • 1983 Termist Baku
  • 1984 Termist Baku

Champions and top scorers

Season Champion Runner-up 3rd position Top scorer
1992 Neftchi Baku Khazar Sumgayit Turan Tovuz Nazim Aliyev (FK Khazar Sumgayit, 39 goals)
1993 FK Qarabağ Khazar Sumgayit Turan Tovuz Samir Alakbarov (Neftchi Baku PFC, 16 goals)
1993-94 Turan Tovuz FK Qarabağ Kapaz Musa Gurbanov (PFC Turan Tovuz, 35 goals)
1994-95 Kapaz Turan Tovuz Neftchi Baku Nazim Aliyev (Neftchi Baku PFC, 27 goals)
1995-96 Neftchi Baku Khazri Buzovna Kapaz Nazim Aliyev (Neftchi Baku PFC/FK Qarabağ, 23 goals)
1996-97 Neftchi Baku FK Qarabağ Khazri Buzovna Gurban Gurbanov (Neftchi Baku PFC, 25 goals)
1997-98 Kapaz FC Baku FK Shamkir Nazim Aliyev (FK Baku, 23 goals)
1998-99 Kapaz FK Shamkir Neftchi Baku Alay Bahramov (Vilash Masalli, 24 goals)
1999-00 FK Shamkir Kapaz Neftchi Baku Badri Kvaratskhelia (FK Shamkir, 16 goals)
2000-01 FK Shamkir Neftchi Baku FK Vilash Masalli Pasha Aliyev (Bakili Baku, 12 goals)
2001-02 FK Shamkir Neftchi Baku FK Qarabağ Kanan Karimov (FK Gäncä, 14 goals)
Dmitri Kudinov (FK Qarabağ, 14 goals)
2002-03 Due to conflict between almost all clubs and the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, no league championship was held.[40]
2003-04 Neftchi Baku FK Shamkir FK Qarabağ Samir Musayev (FK Qarabağ, 20 goals)
2004-05 Neftchi Baku Khazar Lankaran FK Karvan Zaur Ramazanov (FK Karvan, 21 goals)
2005-06 FC Baku FK Karvan Neftchi Baku Yacouba Bamba (FK Karvan, 16 goals)
2006-07 Khazar Lankaran Neftchi Baku FC Baku Zaur Ramazanov (FK Khazar Lankaran, 20 goals)
2007-08 Inter Baku AZAL Neftchi Baku Khagani Mammadov (FC Inter Baku, 19 goals)
2008-09 FC Baku Inter Baku Simurq Walter Guglielmone (FC Inter Baku, 17 goals)
2009-10 Inter Baku FC Baku FK Qarabağ Farid Guliev (Standard Baku, 16 goals)
2010-11 Neftchi Baku Khazar Lankaran FK Qarabağ Giorgi Adamia (FK Qarabağ, 18 goals)

Performance by club

Club Winners Winning Years
Neftchi Baku
6
 1992, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2010–11
Kapaz
3
 1994–95, 1997–98, 1998–99
FK Shamkir
3
 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02
FC Baku
2
 2005–06, 2008–09
Inter Baku
2
 2007–08, 2009–10
FK Qarabağ
1
 1993
Khazar Lankaran
1
 2006–07
Turan Tovuz
1
 1993–94

UEFA Rankings

UEFA Country Ranking for league participation in 2011-12 European football season (Previous year rank in italics)

Awards

Trophy

The current Azerbaijan Premier League trophy, was developed by the Professional Football League of Azerbaijan and the trophy has been awarded to the champion of Azerbaijan since the end of the 2009–10 season, replacing the previous Premier League trophy that had existed for only few years.

Monthly and annual

In addition to the winner's Trophy and the individual winner's medal players receive, Azerbaijan Premier League also awards the monthly Player of the Month award. Following the season, the awards such as the Player of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Young Player of the Year from Azerbaijan Premier League are handed out.

See also

References

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  4. ^ "İbrahimoviç Qurbanova çatdı" (in Azerbaijani). futbolplusqol.com. http://www.futbolplusqol.com/2011/05/12/read=15908. Retrieved 1 September 2011. 
  5. ^ Walker, Paul. "Relief for Wales as Uefa lifts ban on Azerbaijan". Independent.co.uk. The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/relief-for-wales-as-uefa-lifts-ban-on-azerbaijan-590976.html. Retrieved 1 September 2011. 
  6. ^ Ibrahimov, Erkin. "Neftçi take title honours in Azerbaijan". UEFA. http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=aze/news/newsid=1625862.html. Retrieved 2 May 2011. 
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  10. ^ Unibank стал главным спонсором профессиональной футбольной лиги (Azerbaijani)
  11. ^ Азербайджанский «Unibank» стал официальным спонсором Премьер-лиги (Azerbaijani)
  12. ^ "Unibank has become general sponsor of Professional Football League". Azerbaijan Business Center. 24 September 2009. http://abc.az/eng/news/corporate/38603.html. Retrieved 25 September 2009. 
  13. ^ "Yeni mövsüm "Jabulani" ilə oynanılacaq". http://pfl.az/content.php?lang=az&page=14&nid=4818. Retrieved 31 July 2010.  (Azerbaijani)
  14. ^ "Телехозяин" азербайджанского чемпионата (Russian)
  15. ^ Снова АзТВ (Russian)
  16. ^ Заключено соглашение, дающее право эксклюзивного показа матчей чемпионата и Кубка Азербайджана по футболу (Russian)
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  18. ^ Azərbaycan Peşəkar Liqası (Azerbaijani)
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  26. ^ where player shot the most goals
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  30. ^ where player played the most games.
  31. ^ Express newspaper (Azerbaijani)
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  40. ^ Azerbaijan 2002/03

External links

Azerbaijan Premier League · 2011–12
Summer 2011 transfers · Winter 2012 transfers · Foreign players
Top division football seasons in Azerbaijan
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