In a thrilling clash at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium on November 2, Sumqayıt overturned a shaky start to come back and secure a critical 3-2 victory over Araz in their Premyer Liqa encounter. This match saw pivotal moments and dramatic twists that ultimately reshaped the standings for both teams.
The home side struck first in the 17th minute, with an early goal that set the tone for what would be a lively afternoon. However, Araz responded swiftly, finding the net just before halftime. The first half ended with each team raising hopes of securing all three points.
After the break, Araz extended their lead with another goal just six minutes into the second half-taking them ahead 2-1-and raising concerns about whether Sumqayıt could muster a comeback after struggling in recent weeks. With only one win in their last five matches before this game, they faced rising pressure.
But hope shone brightly for Sumqayıt when Ronaldo Vásquez made his mark in the 69th minute, scoring an important equalizer that rejuvenated both his teammates and the home crowd. Following Vásquez's strike, momentum shifted decisively in favor of Sumqayıt, who pressed hard against Araz's defense. The turning point arrived in the 79th minute when another unnamed player from Sumqayıt found the back of the net, completing an impressive turnaround to put them ahead 3-2.
With this victory, Sumqayıt now sits in seventh place with 14 points after nine matches - not entirely comfortable but certainly breathing easier than they had been following prior struggles. In contrast, Araz, who began the day fourth with 16 points from nine appearances, will leave Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium with a sour taste as they could not build on previous strong performances. Their late-game collapse is alarming given they've drawn four times recently and aimed to stabilize their campaign here.
Reflecting on my pre-match preview predictions-which anticipated a tightly contested draw due to both teams' recent forms-I find myself pleasantly surprised by Sumqayıt's resilience. They demonstrated that despite lacking consistency leading up to this battle, they can regain competitive form when it counts most.
Looking ahead, Sumqayıt will face off against Qabala on November 7-a chance to capitalize on today's momentum and potentially launch themselves higher up the table. On the other hand, Araz must regroup quickly as they prepare to host Karvan on November 8; maintaining focus will be essential if they wish to reclaim their spot near league leaders.
Today's match illustrated more than just scores; it highlighted determination and spirit within both squads battling harsh realities of league play. What lies ahead remains uncertain but promises excitement as teams jostle for position heading into crucial fixtures further along this tightly contested season.