Two wins from two: Latvian coach Ervīns Pērkons continues perfect start in Azerbaijan

Latvian coach Ervīns Pērkons has continued his perfect start as interim head coach of Azerbaijani Premier League side Imishli FK, guiding his team to a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Shamakhi. The result marks his second win in as many matches since taking charge last week, with Imishli recording consecutive league victories for the first time this season.

The 36-year-old Latvian specialist, who joined Imishli’s coaching staff during the summer, was appointed interim head coach following the dismissal of the club’s previous manager. His first match in charge ended in an impressive 1-0 victory over Turan Tovuz, bringing an end to a four-match losing streak.

Looking to build on that result, Pērkons faced another challenging test as Imishli welcomed Shamakhi, a side sitting above them in the league standings. It was the second consecutive fixture against higher-placed opposition for the Latvian coach, but his team once again rose to the occasion.

Imishli made an encouraging start and took the lead in the 17th minute. A well-executed counterattack caught the visitors off guard, with the hosts moving the ball forward quickly before finishing the move to establish an early 1-0 advantage.

Pērkons side maintained their narrow lead for much of the contest, but Shamakhi eventually found a response in the 65th minute, bringing the visitors level and setting up a tense final half-hour.

With the match seemingly heading towards a draw, Imishli were handed a golden opportunity to secure another victory in the closing moments. The referee awarded the hosts a penalty in the 90th minute, which was successfully converted to restore their advantage at 2-1.

However, the drama was far from over. With five minutes of stoppage time announced, Shamakhi pushed forward in search of a late equaliser and came agonisingly close to rescuing a point in the fourth additional minute.

A visiting player found himself in an excellent shooting position in the middle of the penalty area and directed an effort towards goal. With the goalkeeper beaten, an Imishli defender produced a crucial intervention on the goal line, preventing the ball from crossing and preserving his team’s slender lead.

The final whistle confirmed another victory for Pērkons side, whose appointment has brought an immediate turnaround in results. Having lost four consecutive matches before his arrival as interim head coach, Imishli have now collected six points from their last two league fixtures.

The back-to-back victories represent the club’s first consecutive wins of the campaign and have lifted Imishli to eighth place in the 12-team Azerbaijani Premier League. After nine rounds, they have accumulated ten points, with six of those coming under Pērkons’ leadership.

Their next league challenge comes on Saturday, when they travel to face Kapaz, another team positioned above them in the standings. Kapaz currently occupy sixth place with 14 points from eight matches.