In a thrilling encounter at an undisclosed venue, Karvan and Şəki PFK battled to a 1-1 draw in the second round of the Azerbaijan Cup on October 28, 2025. The match, punctuated by a dramatic equalizer from Şəki in the dying moments, left both teams pondering missed opportunities and the all-important trajectory of their seasons.
Karvan, who had endured a rough patch leading into this match, entered with a string of five defeats hampering their confidence. Their last league outing had seen them lose 1-2 to Turan, further complicating their position in the Premyer Liqa where they languish near the bottom of the table. In stark contrast, Şəki PFK was looking to seize momentum as they sought to build on a series of encouraging performances.
The contest kicked off with Karvan asserting their intentions. They found the net early, scoring in the 16th minute to take a crucial lead. A sense of hope flickered among their supporters, who had seen little to celebrate in recent weeks. However, the tide began to turn as the match wore on. The psychological strain of protecting a lead crept in, and in the 90th minute, Şəki PFK leveled the score, silencing the crowd with a well-placed shot that reflected their persistency.
Regulation time ended with the score knotted at 1-1, but the drama was far from over. Extra time beckoned, and both teams were eager to secure a place in the next round. Yet, the moment marked by a red card to Karvan in the 100th minute complicated their situation, leaving them a man down for the remainder of the match. Despite this setback, they managed to scramble through the 110th minute and even struck again in the 120th, only to watch their hopes dashed as the referee's whistle blew for full time.
The match ultimately raised questions on both sides. For Karvan, the inability to hold their lead despite a solid start means they must take this performance as a lesson in resilience. As they continue their fight in the Premyer Liqa, today's draw could either serve as a stepping stone or further deepen their struggles, depending on how they learn from it.
For Şəki PFK, the ability to claw back and secure a draw against a struggling opponent may lend them necessary confidence heading into their next matches. However, juggling league aspirations and cup commitments will be a storyline to watch as the season progresses. With both teams looking to spark a revival, the road ahead promises to be critical for their ambitions, setting the stage for what could be an electrifying few weeks in Azerbaijani football.