Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Neftçi 3rd with 59 points, Şamaxı FK 8th with 38, 21 apart. Against a league average of 1.29 goals per team per game, Neftçi ran at 1.73 scored and 0.97 conceded, Şamaxı FK at 0.94 and 1.21.
Across 11 recorded meetings, Neftçi have 6 wins to Şamaxı FK's 0, with 5 draws, at 2.55 goals per meeting. History gives the home side just 27% of the wins in this matchup.
The venue was Bakcell Arena, with room for 11,000 spectators. On the scoreboard, Neftçi led 1-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 3-0.
Goal scorers
Neftçi: Emin Mahmudov (3'), Imad Faraj (47'), Breno Almeida (83')
Key stats
Possession: Neftçi 59% · Şamaxı FK 41% · Total shots: 19-6 · On target: 8-3 · Corners: 6-1