Gabala SC (Azerbaijani: Qəbələ İK, pronounced [ɡæbæˈlæ]),[1][2] also spelled Qabala, is an Azerbaijani professional football club based in Qabala, which have competed in the Azerbaijan Premier League since 2006. They will be an Azerbaijan First Division club in the 2024/25 Season following their relegation from the Azerbaijani Premier Division. Gabala has been the runner up in the Premier League three times and has won the national cup twice, in 2019 and 2023. Gabala is one of the 2 teams that started the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League for 2 seasons and managed to move on to the group stage.[3][4]
Full name | Gabala Sports Club Qəbələ İdman Klubu | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Radarlar (The Radars) Qırmızı-qaralar (The Red-blacks) | ||
Founded | 4 May 2005 | , as Qabala||
Ground | Gabala City Stadium | ||
Capacity | 4,500 | ||
Chairman | Fariz Najafov | ||
Manager | Kakhaber Tskhadadze | ||
League | Azerbaijan First Division | ||
2023–24 | Azerbaijan Premier League, 10 th of 10 (relegated) | ||
Website | http://www.gabalafc.az | ||
| |||
History
editThe club was founded under the name of Goy Gol on 3 July 1995, based in Goy Gol. On 1 September 2005, Goy Gol was registered in Gabala by the Ministry of Justice, before the AFFA registered the team as professional on 5 September of the same year. In the summer of 2006, the team moved from Goygol to Qabala, before the club changed its name to Gilan PFK. Later, the club changed its name to Qəbələ PFK on 31 August 2007.[5][6]
On 10 May 2010, former Arsenal defender Tony Adams was appointed as new manager after signing a £1 million per year deal with the club.[7][8] In his first season in charge Gabala finished at 7th place in Azerbaijan Premier League.[9][10] In November 2011, Adams resigned from being Gabala's coach due to family problems.[11][12]
Despite the appointment of managers like Fatih Kavlak and Ramiz Mammadov, the club could not reach a satisfactory position in the league and was struggling in the middle of the table for many years.[13][14] On 29 May 2013, Yuri Semin was appointed as new manager after signing a £1 million per year deal with the club.[15][16] In the same year, the club qualified for European cups for the first time in their history but lost to Neftchi Baku on penalties in the final of the Azerbaijan Cup.[17][18]
In the 2015–16 season of the Europa League, they became the 3rd club from Azerbaijan to qualify for the group stage after Qarabag and Neftçi Baku. They eliminated Dinamo Tbilisi, Čukarički, Apollon Limassol and surprisingly Panathinaikos. They came 4th in their tough group of Borussia Dortmund, PAOK and FC Krasnodar. They got two points both from 0–0 draws against PAOK.
Following their defeat to Keşla in the 2017–18 Azerbaijan Cup Final, Roman Hryhorchuk left Gabala after his contract was not extended.[19] On 30 May 2018, Gabala announced that Sanan Gurbanov had been appointed as the club's new manager on a two-year contract.[20] On 31 August 2019, Gurbanov resigned as manager following Gabala's 4–0 defeat at home to Keşla.[21] On 2 September 2019, Elmar Bakhshiyev was appointed as Gabala's manager.[22]
On 24 February 2024, Elmar Bakhshiyev resigned as Head Coach, with Kakhaber Tskhadadze being appointed the following day.[23][24] On 27 May 2024, at the end of the 2023-24 season, Gabala extended their contract with Tskhadadze for an additional three-seasons.[25]
League and cup history
editEuropean record
edit- As of match played 3 August 2023
Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UEFA Europa League | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 36 | 55 |
UEFA Europa Conference League | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
Total | 42 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 42 | 67 |
Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Široki Brijeg | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–5 |
2015–16 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Dinamo Tbilisi | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–2 |
2Q | Čukarički | 2–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | ||
3Q | Apollon Limassol | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | ||
PO | Panathinaikos | 0–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 (a) | ||
Group C | Borussia Dortmund | 1–3 | 0–4 | 4th | ||
PAOK | 0–0 | 0–0 | ||||
Krasnodar | 0–3 | 1–2 | ||||
2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Samtredia | 5–1 | 1–2 | 6–3 |
2Q | MTK Budapest | 2–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 | ||
3Q | Lille | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | ||
PO | Maribor | 3–1 | 0–1 | 3–2 | ||
Group C | Anderlecht | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4th | ||
Saint-Étienne | 1–2 | 0–1 | ||||
Mainz 05 | 2–3 | 0–2 | ||||
2017–18 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Jagiellonia Białystok | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
3Q | Panathinaikos | 1–2 | 0–1 | 1–3 | ||
2018–19 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Progrès Niederkorn | 0–2 | 1–0 | 1–2 |
2019–20 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Dinamo Tbilisi | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–5 |
2022–23 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 2Q | Fehérvár | 2–1 | 1–4 | 3–5 |
2023–24 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 2Q | Omonia | 2–3 | 1–4 | 3–7 |
- Notes
- 1Q: First qualifying round
- 2Q: Second qualifying round
- 3Q: Third qualifying round
- PO: Play-off round
- Group: Group stage
Crest and colours
editThe club's crest includes Caucasus Mountains with a black crescent and red eight-pointed star, similar to Azerbaijani flag. It also includes 2005 which signifies the club's formation year.
Shirt sponsors and kit manufacturers
editGabala's traditional kit is composed of red shirts, black shorts and red socks. The club's first kit manufacturer was Erreà, until a two-year deal was agreed with Joma in 2013.[26][27]
In August 2012, Gabala signed a one-year deal with the American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer Pepsi, which will replace Hyundai as the shirt sponsor from the 2013–14 season.[28]
In September 2015, Gabala signed a one-year deal with QafqaZ Hotels and Resorts.[29]
On 31 January 2020, Gabala announced that dairy brand Milla would be the club's new title sponsor until the end of 2021.[30]
On 4 July 2023, Gabala announced Capelli Sport as their new kit supplier on a three-year contract.[31]
Years | Manufacturer | Sponsor |
---|---|---|
2009–2010 | Adidas | Hyundai |
2010–2011 | Lotto | |
2011–2012 | Erreà | |
2012–2013 | Pepsi | |
2013–2015 | Joma | |
2015–2020 | QafqaZ Hotels | |
2020–2021 | Milla | |
2021–2022 | Jale | |
2022–2023 | Gilan Knauf | |
2023–present | Capelli Sport |
Stadium
editThe club play their home matches at the Gabala City Stadium, an all-seater football stadium situated in Qabala.
As of 2007, predominantly due to UEFA requirements, the club proposed an extensive renovation of the stadium, which has since been in constant process of redevelopment.[32] AFL Architects were appointed to design a new 15,000 capacity stadium and training facility in December 2008 after winning a limited design competition. Accommodation within the stadium will include hotel and conferencing facilities, as well as retail and corporate hospitality space, and a dramatic viewing deck at the top of the entrance tower.[33] It is expected that the stadium was scheduled to open in 2014.[34]
Supporters
editGabala has a large fanbase in relation to its comparative lack of success on the pitch. Gabala's fan base has fluctuated over the years with high crowds coinciding with the club's success in the Premier League so that the club now averages in the top four best home attendances in the country. One of the main supporters group name is Red Black Army.[35]
Honours
edit- Azerbaijan League
- Azerbaijan Cup
- Azerbaijan First Division
- Winners (1): 2005–06
Players
editAzerbaijani teams are limited to nine players without Azerbaijani citizenship. The squad list includes only the principal nationality of each player, several non-European players on the squad have dual citizenship with an EU country.
Current squad
edit- As of 28 September 2024[36]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Club officials
editThe Board of Directors
editPosition | Name |
---|---|
President | Fariz Najafov |
General manager | Sabuhi Safiyarli[37] |
Team manager | Mahammad Azizli |
Press secretary | Asef Zeynalov |
Coaching staff
editPosition | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Kakhaber Tskhadadze[38] |
Assistant coach | Giorgi Chikhradze |
Fitness coach | Chaglar Volga[39] |
Video analysis coach | Rakif Aliyev |
Goalkeeper coach | Vugar Mammadov |
Under-19 head coach | Famil Khalilov |
Medical staff
editPosition | Name |
---|---|
Doctor | Fikrat Nabiyev |
Assistant doctor | Movsum Huseynov |
Assistant doctor | Farman Mammadov |
Managers
editInformation correct as of match played 19 December 2024. Only competitive matches are counted.
Name | Nat. | From | To | P | W | D | L | GS | GA | %W | Honours | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Faig Jabbarov | Azerbaijan | 2005 | 2006 | 30 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 73.33 | [40] | |
Ramiz Mammadov | Azerbaijan | 2006 | May 2010 | 118 | 38 | 27 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 32.20 | [41] | |
Tony Adams | England | 12 May 2010 | 16 Nov 2011 | 44 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 45 | 35 | 38.64 | [42] | |
Fatih Kavlak | Turkey | 18 Nov 2011 | Sept 27, 2012 | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 43 | 27 | 48.28 | [41] | |
Ramiz Mammadov | Azerbaijan | Sept 24, 2012 | 2 April 2013 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 38.10 | [41] | |
Luis Aragon (Interim) | Spain | April 2013 | May 2013 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 12.50 | [43] | |
Yuri Semin | Russia | 28 May 2013 | 23 May 2014 | 41 | 21 | 9 | 11 | 56 | 38 | 51.22 | [44] | |
Dorinel Munteanu | Romania | 16 Jun 2014 | 8 Dec 2014 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 20 | 26 | 33.33 | [45] | |
Sanan Gurbanov (Interim) | Azerbaijan | 8 December 2014 | 21 December 2014 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 33.33 | [46] | |
Roman Hryhorchuk | Ukraine | 21 December 2014 | 29 May 2018[19] | 159 | 75 | 41 | 43 | 238 | 150 | 47.17 | [47] | |
Sanan Gurbanov | Azerbaijan | 30 May 2018[20] | 31 August 2019[21] | 40 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 37 | 52 | 35.00 | Azerbaijan Cup (1) | |
Elmar Bakhshiyev | Azerbaijan | 2 September 2019[22] | 24 February 2024[23] | 155 | 52 | 41 | 62 | 187 | 228 | 33.55 | Azerbaijan Cup (1) | |
Kakhaber Tskhadadze | Georgia | 25 February 2024[24] | 27 | 12 | 4 | 11 | 38 | 29 | 44.44 |
- Notes:
P – Total of played matches
W – Won matches
D – Drawn matches
L – Lost matches
GS – Goal scored
GA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
Individual records
editUrfan Abbasov is Gabala's most capped player, with 305 appearances for the club. Players in bold signifies current Gabala player.
Top goalscorers
edit- As of match played 19 December 2024
Name | Years | League | Azerbaijan Cup | Europe | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Victor Mendy | 2011–2015 | 29 (112) | 4 (13) | 0 (2) | 33 (127) |
2 | Dodô | 2011–2016 | 23 (131) | 3 (15) | 4 (15) | 30 (161) |
3 | Bagaliy Dabo | 2016–2018 | 20 (43) | 4 (6) | 3 (13) | 27 (62) |
4 | Filip Ozobić | 2016–2018 | 16 (47) | 6 (9) | 3 (18) | 25 (74) |
5 | Isnik Alimi | 2021–2023 | 17 (62) | 5 (10) | 0 (2) | 22 (74) |
6 | Javid Huseynov | 2014–2015, 2016–2019, 2020–2021 |
16 (109) | 2 (20) | 3 (11) | 21 (140) |
6 | Ulvi Isgandarov | 2017–2024 | 17 (118) | 4 (16) | 0 (6) | 21 (140) |
8 | Steeven Joseph-Monrose | 2017– 2019 | 15 (47) | 3 (9) | 2 (6) | 20 (62) |
9 | Danijel Subotić | 2013–2014, 2017 |
15 (40) | 4 (8) | 0 (0) | 19 (48) |
10 | Kanan Karimov | 2008–2010 | 11 (46) | 7 (?) | 0 (0) | 18 (45+) |
10 | Oleksiy Gai | 2015–2016 | 14 (51) | 4 (6) | 0 (14) | 18 (71) |
10 | James Adeniyi | 2018–2021 | 14 (48) | 4 (7) | 0 (2) | 18 (57) |
10 | Raphael Utzig | 2020–2023 | 15 (81) | 2 (11) | 1 (2) | 18 (94) |
Most appearances
edit- As of match played 19 December 2024
Name | Years | League | Azerbaijan Cup | Europe | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Urfan Abbasov | 2011–2019, 2021–2024 |
248 (5) | 40 (1) | 17 (0) | 305 (6) |
2 | Asif Mammadov | 2006–2007, 2015–Present |
200 (13) | 31 (3) | 24 (1) | 255+ (17) |
3 | Dmytro Bezotosnyi | 2015–2019 | 117 (0) | 17 (0) | 32 (0) | 166 (0) |
4 | Dodô | 2011–2016 | 131 (23) | 15 (3) | 15 (4) | 161 (30) |
5 | Murad Musayev | 2013–2016, 2019–Present |
123 (4) | 19 (0) | 3 (0) | 145 (4) |
6 | Vojislav Stanković | 2015–2019 | 92 (1) | 21 (1) | 29 (1) | 142 (3) |
7 | Elvin Jamalov | 2013–2019 | 111 (0) | 18 (0) | 12 (0) | 141 (0) |
8 | Javid Huseynov | 2014–2015, 2016–2019, 2020–2021 |
109 (16) | 20 (2) | 11 (3) | 140 (21) |
8 | Ulvi Isgandarov | 2017–2024 | 118 (17) | 16 (4) | 6 (0) | 140 (21) |
10 | Victor Mendy | 2011–2015 | 112 (29) | 13 (4) | 2 (0) | 127 (33) |
Presidential history
edit
|
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gabala SC
- ^ Qəbələ İK
- ^ "Gabala in Europa League group stage number crunching". Gabala FK.
- ^ "Europa League group stage number crunching". UEFA Europa League.
- ^ "Qəbələ İK / Tarix". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Qəbələ İK. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ^ Establishment of SC Qabala Archived 23 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Esslemont, Tom (11 May 2010). "Tony Adams' grand plans for Azerbaijan football club". BBC News. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ Английские СМИ назвали цену "чудовищной ошибки" азербайджанского футбольного клуба (in Russian)
- ^ Exley, Robert. "After Wenger Part Five: The Return of the Prodigal Son". Gooner. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ Hytner, David (23 July 2011). "Tony Adams is still relishing his Azerbaijan adventure". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Arsenal legend Adams leaves Gabala post". Sports News Ireland. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Адамс подал в отставку и покидает Азербайджан. azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 16 November 2011.
- ^ Фатих Кавлак отправлен в отставку. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ Габала рассталась с Рамизом Мамедовым. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ^ Послезавтра Семин станет главным тренером Габалы. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Yuri Syomin – new head coach of Gabala". gabalafc.az/. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ ""Qəbələ" ilk dəfə Avropa Liqasında!". fanat.az. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ Atayev, Oqtay. "Neftçi nerve holds in Azerbaijan Cup final". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Qəbələ Roman Qriqorçukla yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Sənan Qurbanov "Qəbələ"nin yeni baş məşqçisidir". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ a b "AÇIQLAMA". gabalafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ a b "AÇIQLAMA". gabalafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ a b ""Qəbələ" Elmar Baxşıyevlə yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Kaxaber Tsxadadze "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Tsxadadze ilə yeni müqavilə imzalandı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Qəbələ gəlirlərini artırır". Azerisport.com (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ ""Qəbələ" "Simurq"un yolu ilə getdi". Futbol11.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ ""Qəbələ" yeni sponsorla əməkdaşlığa başlayır". Korner.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ "Deal with new sponsor – QafqaZ Hotels and Resorts". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). 15 September 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
- ^ "Milla Qəbələ nin yeni titul sponsorudur". gabalafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Capelli Sport Qəbələ nin yeni tərəfdaşıdır". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Gabala FC:Stadion". Gabalafc.az. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ "Sports complex proposals unveiled". Architectnews.co.uk. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ Тале Гейдаров: Главная арена Габалы будет готова в 2016–м году. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- ^ Вратарь "Габалы": "Наши болельщики являются для нас 12-м игроком". extratime.az (in Russian). Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Qəbələ İK / Əsas komanda" (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK.
- ^ ""Qəbələ"də yeni təyinat". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Kaxaber Tsxadadze "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Çağlar Volqa "Qəbələ"də" (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 31 January 2024.
- ^ ""Bığ Ramiz"in əhvalatından yaranan Faiq Cabbarov yazısı". stadium.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ a b c Amiraslanov, Telman. Рамиз Мамедов вернулся на пост главного тренера ФК "Габала". 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ "Tony Adams returns to FC Gabala in Azerbaijan". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Луис Арагон: "Пенальти в ворота "Габалы" и "Карабаха" были назначены ошибочно". 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Aliyev, Elmir. Юрий Семин: "Габала" в числе 3–4 команд, которые будут бороться за чемпионство". 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Первая победа Габалы с Мунтяну. azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ "Munteanu ends his time with Gabala". gabalafc.az. Gabala FK. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
- ^ "Roman Qriqorçuk ictimaiyyətə təqdim olundu". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.