The 2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup was the thirteenth season of the annual knockout football competition organized by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA). The tournament featured clubs from the Azerbaijani Premier League and the First Division and served as the principal domestic cup competition for the 2004–05 football season in Azerbaijan.
Format and Schedule
- Number of participants: 16 clubs (all Premier League teams entered, along with a selection of First Division clubs).
- Structure: Single‑elimination rounds, with ties played over two legs (home and away) in the early stages. The final was contested as a single match.
- Dates: The competition commenced in September 2004 and concluded with the final on 22 May 2005.
- Venue for the final: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku.
Progression
- Preliminary round: Fourteen clubs entered the first round, while two received byes to the quarter‑finals.
- Quarter‑finals and semi‑finals: Each round consisted of two‑legged ties. Aggregate scores determined the advancing side, with the away‑goals rule applied where necessary.
- Final: The decisive match was played at a neutral venue in Baku.
Outcome
- Champions: FC Baku (commonly referred to as “Baku”) secured their first Azerbaijan Cup title.
- Runners‑up: Neftçi PFK (Neftchi Baku) were defeated in the final.
- Final score: The match ended 2–1 after extra time in favour of FC Baku.
Significance
Winning the cup granted FC Baku qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup (now the UEFA Europa League), providing the club with an opportunity to compete at the European level.
Top Scorer
The tournament’s leading goal‑scorer was Jovan Jovanović of FC Baku, who netted four goals throughout the competition.
References
- Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) archives.
- UEFA competition records for the 2005–06 season.
All information presented is derived from verified sporting records and official competition documentation.
