The history and format of the region liqası
How and when did the region liqası start?
The idea of creating a regional league in Azerbaijan was first proposed by AFFA in 2016, as part of its strategic plan to improve the quality and quantity of football in Azerbaijan. AFFA wanted to create a platform for amateur and semi-professional teams from different regions to compete against each other, as well as to provide a pathway for promotion to higher levels of football. The first season of the region liqası was launched in 2017, with 32 teams participating from five zones: Capital and North, Northwest and West, Centre, South, and Nakhchivan.
How many teams participate and how are they divided into zones?
The number of teams participating in the region liqası varies from season to season, depending on the interest and availability of teams from different regions. In the current 2021-22 season, there are 32 teams divided into five zones, with each zone having six to eight teams. The zones are based on geographical proximity and administrative divisions. The zones are as follows:
ZoneTeams
Capital and NorthIrevan FK, ICBFA, Davam Baku, Shirvanovka FK Qusar, Qusar FK, Shahdag Quba, Jabrayil FK, Dirchelis FK Baku
Northwest and WestEnergetik PFK Mingachevir, Göyazan PFK Qazakh, Agstafa FK Agstafa, Qoshqar Ganja, Shaki FC Shaki, Ganja Ganja, Karvan FK Yevlakh
CentreAgsu City Agsu, Saatly Araz Saatly, Imishli FC Imishli, Mil Beylagan Beylagan, Fuzuli Fuzuli, Ismayilli Ismayilli
How does the promotion and relegation system work?
The region liqası operates a promotion and relegation system with the second tier of Azerbaijani football, which is the Birinci Dasta (First Division). The top two teams from each zone of the region liqası qualify for the promotion play-offs, where they face each other in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from the play-offs are promoted to the Birinci Dasta, while the bottom two teams are relegated to the region liqası. Similarly, the bottom two teams from each group of the Birinci Dasta are relegated to the region liqası, while the top two teams from each zone of the region liqası are promoted to the Birinci Dasta.
The benefits and challenges of the region liqası
How does the region liqası help develop local talent and promote grassroots football?
The region liqası is a vital platform for developing local talent and promoting grassroots football in Azerbaijan. By providing more opportunities and exposure for amateur and semi-professional teams and players from different regions, the region liqası helps to nurture and showcase the potential and diversity of Azerbaijani football. The region liqası also helps to create a football culture and community in various parts of Azerbaijan, where people can enjoy and support their local teams and players. The region liqası also serves as a feeder system for higher levels of football, where talented players can be scouted and recruited by bigger clubs.
What are some of the difficulties and obstacles that the region liqası faces?
The region liqası also faces some difficulties and obstacles that hinder its growth and development. Some of these challenges include:
Lack of funding and resources: Many teams in the region liqası struggle to cover their expenses and maintain their facilities and equipment. They also lack adequate training and coaching staff, medical and technical support, and transportation and accommodation arrangements.
Lack of media coverage and public awareness: The region liqası receives little attention and recognition from the mainstream media and the general public. Many people are unaware of the existence and importance of the region liqası, and do not follow or support its teams and players.
Lack of competitiveness and quality: The region liqası suffers from a wide gap in performance and quality between its teams and players. Some teams dominate their zones, while others struggle to compete. Some players are highly skilled and experienced, while others are inexperienced and unprofessional. This affects the attractiveness and excitement of the matches and the league as a whole.
How does the region liqası compare to other similar leagues in the world?
The region liqası is similar to other regional leagues in the world, such as the Regionalliga in Germany, the National League System in England, or the Tercera División in Spain. These leagues are also third-tier or lower-tier leagues that consist of several regional divisions or groups. They also serve as a bridge between amateur and professional football, and as a platform for developing local talent and promoting grassroots football. However, these leagues have more history, popularity, and prestige than the region liqası, as they have been established for longer periods of time, have more teams and players, have more media coverage and public awareness, and have produced more famous clubs and stars.
The future and prospects of the region liqası
What are some of the goals and plans of AFFA for improving the region liqası?
AFFA has some goals and plans for improving the region liqası in the near future. Some of these goals and plans are as follows:
Increasing the number and quality of teams and players: AFFA aims to attract more teams and players to join the region liqası, especially from underrepresented regions and groups. AFFA also aims to improve the standards and professionalism of the teams and players, by providing more training, education, and support.
Increasing the funding and resources: AFFA aims to secure more funding and resources for the region liqası, by seeking sponsorship, partnership, and investment from various sources. AFFA also aims to distribute the funding and resources more fairly and efficiently among the teams and players.
Increasing the media coverage and public awareness: AFFA aims to increase the media coverage and public awareness of the region liqası, by creating more content, platforms, and channels for promoting and broadcasting the matches and the league. AFFA also aims to increase the public awareness of the region liqası, by organizing more events, campaigns, and activities for engaging and educating the fans and stakeholders.
Increasing the competitiveness and quality: AFFA aims to increase the competitiveness and quality of the region liqası, by introducing more incentives, rewards, and recognition for the teams and players. AFFA also aims to increase the quality of the region liqası, by implementing more regulations, standards, and criteria for ensuring fair play, safety, and integrity.
What are some of the success stories and achievements of the region liqası teams and players?
The region liqası has produced some success stories and achievements for its teams and players. Some of these success stories and achievements are as follows:
Some teams have achieved promotion to higher levels of football, such as Irevan FK, which was promoted to the Birinci Dasta in 2019 after winning the region liqası play-offs.
Some players have been scouted and recruited by bigger clubs, such as Elvin Mammadov, who was signed by Qarabag FK in 2018 after impressing with ICBFA in the region liqası.
Some teams have won regional or national cups or trophies, such as Agsu City, which won the Azerbaijan Cup in 2020 after beating Sumgayit FK in the final.
Some players have represented their national team or received individual awards or honors, such as Nurlan Novruzov, who was capped by Azerbaijan in 2019 after scoring 18 goals for Qusar FK in the region liqası.
What are some of the expectations and hopes of the fans and stakeholders for the region liqası?
The fans and stakeholders of the region liqası have some expectations and hopes for the future of the league. Some of these expectations and hopes are as follows:
The fans hope that the region liqası will continue to grow and develop, and provide more entertainment and excitement for them. They also hope that their local teams and players will perform well and achieve their goals.
The stakeholders hope that the region liqası will contribute to the development and improvement of Azerbaijani football, and provide more opportunities and benefits for them. They also hope that their investments and resources will be used wisely and effectively by the teams and players.
Conclusion
The region liqası is a regional league that is the third tier of football in the Azerbaijani football league system. It was founded in 2017 by AFFA to provide more opportunities and exposure for amateur and semi-professional teams and players from different regions of Azerbaijan. The region liqası is important for Azerbaijani football because it helps to develop local talent, promote grassroots football, increase competitiveness, and foster regional identity and pride. The region liqası has some benefits and challenges, as well as some goals and plans for improving its future. The region liqası has also produced some success stories and achievements for its teams and players, and has some expectations and hopes from its fans and stakeholders. The region liqası is a valuable and promising league that deserves more recognition and support from the Azerbaijani football community and beyond.
Do you follow or support any team or player from the region liqası? If so, who are they and why do you like them? If not, would you like to learn more about them and watch their matches? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
What is the difference between the region liqası and the Birinci Dasta?
The region liqası is the third tier of football in Azerbaijan, while the Birinci Dasta is the second tier. The region liqası consists of five zones with six to eight teams each, while the Birinci Dasta consists of two groups with 14 teams each. The top two teams from each zone of the region liqası qualify for the promotion play-offs, while the bottom two teams from each group of the Birinci Dasta are relegated to the region liqası. The top two teams from the play-offs are promoted to the Birinci Dasta, while the bottom two teams are relegated to the region liqası.
How can I watch the matches of the region liqası?
The matches of the region liqası are not broadcasted on TV or online, but you can follow them on AFFA's official website or social media accounts . You can also visit the stadiums or fields where the matches are played, if they are near your location. The tickets are usually cheap or free, and you can enjoy the atmosphere and support your local team.
Who are some of the best players in the region liqası?
Some of the best players in the region liqası are:
Nurlan Novruzov: He is a striker who plays for Qusar FK in the Capital and North zone. He scored 18 goals in 16 matches in the 2019-20 season, making him the top scorer of the league. He also made his debut for Azerbaijan in 2019.
Elvin Mammadov: He is a midfielder who plays for Qarabag FK in the Azerbaijan Premier League. He started his career with ICBFA in the region liqası, where he impressed with his skills and creativity. He was signed by Qarabag FK in 2018, and has since become a regular starter and a fan favorite.
Agsu City: They are a team that plays in the Centre zone of the region liqası. They made history in 2020 by winning the Azerbaijan Cup, becoming the first team from the region liqası to do so. They beat Sumgayit FK in the final, after defeating several top-tier teams along the way.
How can I join or support a team in the region liqası?
If you are interested in joining or supporting a team in the region liqası, you can contact AFFA or the team directly to find out more information and requirements. You can also visit their websites or social media accounts to learn more about their history, achievements, and goals. You can also donate or sponsor them if you have the means and the desire to do so.
What are some of the rivalries and derbies in the region liqası?
Some of the rivalries and derbies in the region liqası are:
Irevan FK vs ICBFA: This is a rivalry between two teams from Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. They both play in the Capital and North zone of the region liqası, and have competed for the top spot and promotion several times. They also have different styles and philosophies of football, with Irevan FK being more defensive and pragmatic, and ICBFA being more offensive and flamboyant.
Ganja vs Qoshqar: This is a derby between two teams from Ganja, the second-largest city of Azerbaijan. They both play in the Northwest and West zone of the region liqası, and have a long history and tradition of football. They also have different fan bases and cultures, with Ganja being more popular and established, and Qoshqar being more passionate and loyal.
Agsu City vs Saatly Araz: This is a rivalry between two teams from the Centre zone of the region liqası, who have both achieved remarkable feats in recent years. Agsu City won the Azerbaijan Cup in 2020, while Saatly Araz reached the semi-finals of the same competition in 2019. They also have different strengths and weaknesses, with Agsu City being more balanced and consistent, and Saatly Araz being more unpredictable and explosive.
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