FC_Gabala
Gabala SC
Association football club
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. Gabala has been the runner up in the Premier League three times and has won the national cup twice, in 2019 and 2023.
| Full name | Gabala Sports Club Qəbələ İdman Klubu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Radarlar (The Radars) Qırmızı-qaralar (The Red-blacks) | ||
| Founded | 3 July 1995; 28 years ago (1995-07-03), as Goygol 4 May 2005; 18 years ago (2005-05-04), as Qabala | ||
| Ground | Gabala City Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 4,500 | ||
| Chairman | Fariz Najafov | ||
| Manager | Kakhaber Tskhadadze | ||
| League | Azerbaijan Premier League | ||
| 2022–23 | Azerbaijan Premier League, 4th of 10 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
|
| |||
 Current season | |||
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]
The 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]
League and cup history
European record
- 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
The 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
Gabala'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.[25][26]
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.[27]
In September 2015, Gabala signed a one-year deal with QafqaZ Hotels and Resorts.[28]
On 31 January 2020, Gabala announced that dairy brand Milla would be the club's new title sponsor until the end of 2021.[29]
On 4 July 2023, Gabala announced Capelli Sport as their new kit supplier on a three-year contract.[30]
The 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.[31] 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.[32] It is expected that the stadium was scheduled to open in 2014.[33]
Gabala 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.[34]
- Azerbaijan League
- Azerbaijan Cup
- Azerbaijan First Division
- Winners (1): 2005–06
Azerbaijani 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
- As of 19 April 2024[35]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- "For recent transfers, see List of Azerbaijan football transfers summer 2023".
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The Board of Directors
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President |  Fariz Najafov |
| General manager | Sabuhi Safiyarli[36] |
| Team manager | Mahammad Azizli |
| Press secretary | Asef Zeynalov |
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Kakhaber Tskhadadze[37] |
| Assistant coach | Giorgi Chikhradze |
| Fitness coach |  Chaglar Volga[38] |
| Video analysis coach | Rakif Aliyev |
| Goalkeeper coach | Vugar Mammadov |
| Under-19 head coach | Famil Khalilov |
Medical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Doctor | Fikrat Nabiyev |
| Assistant doctor | Movsum Huseynov |
| Assistant doctor | Farman Mammadov |
Information correct as of match played 24 April 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 | 073.33 | [39] | |
| Ramiz Mammadov | Azerbaijan |
2006 | May 2010 | 118 | 38 | 27 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 032.20 | [40] | |
| Tony Adams |  England |
12 May 2010 | 16 Nov 2011 | 44 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 45 | 35 | 038.64 | [41] | |
| Fatih Kavlak | Turkey |
18 Nov 2011 | Sept 27, 2012 | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 43 | 27 | 048.28 | [40] | |
| Ramiz Mammadov | Azerbaijan |
Sept 24, 2012 | 2 April 2013 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 038.10 | [40] | |
| Luis Aragon (Interim) |  Spain |
April 2013 | May 2013 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 012.50 | [42] | |
| Yuri Semin | Russia |
28 May 2013 | 23 May 2014 | 41 | 21 | 9 | 11 | 56 | 38 | 051.22 | [43] | |
| Dorinel Munteanu |  Romania |
16 Jun 2014 | 8 Dec 2014 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 20 | 26 | 033.33 | [44] | |
| Sanan Gurbanov (Interim) | Azerbaijan |
8 December 2014 | 21 December 2014 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 033.33 | [45] | |
| Roman Hryhorchuk |  Ukraine |
21 December 2014 | 29 May 2018[19] | 159 | 75 | 41 | 43 | 238 | 150 | 047.17 | [46] | |
| Sanan Gurbanov | Azerbaijan |
30 May 2018[20] | 31 August 2019[21] | 40 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 37 | 52 | 035.00 | ||
| Elmar Bakhshiyev | Azerbaijan |
2 September 2019[22] | 24 February 2024[23] | 155 | 52 | 41 | 62 | 187 | 228 | 033.55 | ||
| Kakhaber Tskhadadze | Georgia |
25 February 2024[24] | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 000.00 | |||
- 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).
Urfan Abbasov is Gabala's most capped player, with 300 appearances for the club. Players in bold signifies current Gabala player.
Top goalscorers
- As of match played 24 April 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 | 2017–2021, 2021–present | 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
- As of match played 24 April 2024
| Name | Years | League | Azerbaijan Cup | Europe | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urfan Abbasov | 2011–2019, 2021–Present | 243 (5) | 40 (1) | 17 (0) | 300 (6) |
| 2 | Asif Mammadov | 2006–2007, 2015–Present | 192 (13) | 31+ (3+) | 24 (0) | 247+ (16) |
| 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 | Vojislav Stanković | 2015–2019 | 92 (1) | 21 (1) | 29 (1) | 142 (3) |
| 6 | Elvin Jamalov | 2013–2019 | 111 (0) | 18 (0) | 12 (0) | 141 (0) |
| 7 | Javid Huseynov | 2014–2015, 2016–2019, 2020–2021 | 109 (16) | 20 (2) | 11 (3) | 140 (21) |
| 7 | Ulvi Isgandarov | 2017–2021, 2021–present | 118 (17) | 16 (4) | 6 (0) | 140 (21) |
| 9 | Murad Musayev | 2013–2016, 2019–Present | 115 (4) | 17 (0) | 3 (0) | 135 (4) |
| 10 | Victor Mendy | 2011–2015 | 112 (29) | 13 (4) | 2 (0) | 127 (33) |
- "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.
- 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.
- "Qəbələ Roman Qriqorçukla yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- "Sənan Qurbanov "Qəbələ"nin yeni baş məşqçisidir". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- "AÇIQLAMA". gabalafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- "AÇIQLAMA". gabalafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Gabala FK. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ""Qəbələ" Elmar Baxşıyevlə yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- "Kaxaber Tsxadadze "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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- "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.
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