The Mini-Football World Championship kicked off in Baku with high intensity and strong performances across the board, and according to former Azerbaijan national team goalkeeper Davud Karimi, the level of preparation among participating teams is impressive.
In an interview with Report, Karimi praised the overall quality on display during the tournament's opening day.
“Most of the teams arrived in excellent shape,” Karimi said. “Bahrain, who held our team to a 1-1 draw, alsolooked sharp.”
Reflecting on Azerbaijan's opening performance, Karimi noted that nerves may have affected some players.
“It was our first match. There’s a lot of pressure and high expectations. A few players didn’t have their best game, but I’m confident the team will bounce back in the upcoming fixtures and deliver the kind of football our fans are hoping for.”
Karimi also highlighted the tournament’s festive atmosphere, mentioning the awards ceremony where he shared the stage with fellow legends Tural Narimanov, Seymur Mammadov, and Bakhtiyar Soltanov. He extended his gratitude to Azerbaijan Mini-Football Federation President Orkhan Mammadov, Executive Vice President Taleh Nasibov, and the entire organizing committee for their efforts in hosting the tournament.
The WMF World Cup runs until June 1. Karimi was part of the squad that won the European title in 2022.