Neftçi congratulates Isgandar Javadov

Neftçi veteran footballer Isgandar Javadov visited the Palms Sports Football Centre today. During his meeting with Neftçi PFK head executive director Cenk Sümer and other club representatives, Javadov was presented with a commemorative gift on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on Neftçi’s current situation and future plans. The birthday celebrant then toured the football centre and gave an extensive interview to Neftçi TV.

Isgandar Javadov is one of the finest forwards in Neftçi’s history. Born in Baku on 20 September 1956, Javadov began learning the finer points of football in a group led by Eduard Jabrailov. He later continued his football education at Sports Boarding School No. 6. He was soon invited to join Neftçi’s reserve team. He subsequently played for Khazar (Sumqayit), who competed in the Second League of the USSR Championship, and later for Avtomobilchi (Baku).

In 1976, Javadov was once again invited to Neftçi’s reserve team and soon became the team captain. He made his first-team debut in 1977. Head coach Gennadi Bondarenko brought Javadov on towards the end of an away match against Shakhtyor. This was also the first time the Javadov brothers – Fuzuli and Isgandar – appeared on the pitch together.

Following four successful seasons with Neftçi from 1978 onwards, Javadov began receiving offers from other leading Soviet clubs and moved to Dynamo Moscow. During his time with Dynamo, he also scored against Poland’s Slask in the UEFA Cup.

After returning to Neftçi, Isgandar once again became a true leader of the team. As captain, he was able to lead his teammates by example, and he holds the Neftçi record for appearing in 77 consecutive Soviet Championship matches without being substituted.

In 1988, as Neftçi left the Soviet Top League, Isgandar Javadov also ended his playing career. With 53 goals in the Top League, he was included among the USSR’s 100 leading goalscorers. In total, during his 12 seasons with Neftçi, the forward made 303 appearances and scored 61 important goals.

After ending his playing career, Isgandar Javadov continued to contribute to the development of football in Azerbaijan. A member of the AFFA Executive Committee and currently serving as president of the Regional Football Federation, Javadov was awarded the Order of Glory in 2006 and, just a few days ago, received the Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On behalf of the entire Neftçi family, we congratulate the birthday celebrant and wish him good health and many happy years ahead.