Xäzär Länkäran FK caused a stir by beating defending champions and cup holders Neftçi PFK 2-1 in the first Azerbaijan Super Cup to be staged since 1995.
Agabala Ramazanov set up Mbilla Etame to put Xäzär in front midway through the first half, but while Xäzär hit the post later on, Neftçi passed up a great chance to equalise before the break. The tempo picked up from then on, with Xäzär dominating possession, but things looked bleak for them after Malian Sadio Tuncara was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Carlos Cardoso promptly finished from Aras Abdullayev’s ball into the box to make it 1-1, but John Toshack’s side managed to stave off extra time when Manuel Scarlatache set up fellow central defender Rasim Ramaldanov to score the winner.
“It was very difficult match and therefore we are doubly happy,” said matchwinner Ramaldanov. “Of course it is great that I’ve scored but the most important thing is that the team won.” Coach Toshack, whose side lost to Neftçi on penalties in last season’s Azerbaijani Cup final, added: “I think we were the better team today and deserved to win. We are happy to finally have a title.”