FK Sabah secured a 4-0 victory over Danish side Aarhus GF, advancing to the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Following the match, Sabah head coach Valdas Dambrauskas shared his reaction to the historic result, describing the atmosphere and the team’s performance at a post-match press conference covered by regional media outlets.
“First of all, I congratulate the Azerbaijani football fans,” Dambrauskas stated after the match, as reported by regional news sources. “I believe this is a very big step, a historic step for the club, and today I am the happiest coach in the world.”
The emphatic win marks a significant milestone for the Azerbaijani club in European competition. Dambrauskas noted that his squad executed tactical plans effectively against their Danish opponents, building on preparations from the first leg of the tie.
Tactical Dominance and Psychological Resilience
Reflecting on the flow of the match, Dambrauskas acknowledged that the opening period presented psychological challenges for his players. However, the team established control early on, pushing for a dominant style of play.
“In the first half, it was a bit difficult psychologically,” the Lithuanian coach explained. “But I think that from the very beginning, from the first minute, we were better, we tried to dominate, we tried to play dominant football, and the way we won is truly impossible to describe in words.”
The breakthrough came with the opening goal, after which the match shifted decisively in Sabah’s favor. According to Dambrauskas, the opponent’s defensive structure opened up as the game progressed, allowing his side to create additional scoring opportunities beyond the four goals converted.
Gratitude to Supporters and the Atmosphere
The head coach repeatedly emphasized the impact of the home crowd, praising the intense atmosphere at the stadium that kept the players focused throughout the ninety minutes.
“Today the atmosphere at the stadium was amazing,” Dambrauskas said. “It didn’t allow us to relax for a second, we gave our all not only for ourselves, but for the fans. So a huge thank you to everyone who came today. We did this together. Without you, it would have been much harder.”
Looking ahead, Dambrauskas highlighted the need for immediate physical and emotional recovery following the demanding fixture. The squad must quickly turn its attention back to domestic competition, with an Azerbaijan Premier League match scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.
Next Steps in Domestic and European Campaigns
With the play-off round secured, Sabah faces a quick turnaround before their weekend league fixture. Dambrauskas stressed the importance of approaching the domestic match with respect for their opponents, despite the heavy emotional and physical investment required to overcome Aarhus.
“Now we need to recover as quickly as possible, because a lot of emotion and energy was invested today,” Dambrauskas noted. “On Saturday we have our first match in the Azerbaijan championship, and we need to approach this game with great respect for our opponent.”
As Dambrauskas observed, the organization remains in the early stages of its development, with supporters witnessing the formation of the club’s history.
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