Azertag, 27, January 2008

Azerbaijani football club Khazar-Lankaran claimed the title of the 16th Commonwealth Cup tournament Sunday after beating Uzbek Pakhtakor 4-3 in the final match in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Despite the game started with Khazar-Lankaran`s flurry of attacks, the Uzbek club took an early lead through Ildar Magdeev`s third minute goal.

But the Azeri side was not fazed, and was rewarded just three minutes later when Rahid Amirguliyev struck the equalizer.

In the 28th minute, Anver Soliyev`s goal put the Uzbek club ahead again.

This time, it took 15 minutes before Khazar-Lankaran`s forward Zaur Ramazanov scored a brilliant leveller provoking applauds by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, UEFA President Mishel Platini and President of Russian Football Federation Vitaly Mutko who were among spectators at the stadium.

The second half started well for the Azeri club as Diego Sousa gave his team a 3-2 lead, but Pakhtakor was level in the 57th minute.

Eight minutes later, Mario Sergio`s goal sealed debutant Khazar-Lankaran`s 4-3 victory.

Blatter, Platini and Mutko personally presented gold medals to the Azeri club`s players.

Khazar-Lankaran`s coach Agasalim Mirjavadov was celebrating double triumph as he became a first coach to win the Commonwealth Cup with two teams after he coached Neftchi to gold medals of the tournament last year.