Umarali Rakhmonaliev to Play in the Champions League as Sabah Reach the League Phase for the First Time
Sport
Uzbekistan national team midfielder Umarali Rakhmonaliev will play in the UEFA Champions League league phase with Azerbaijani club Sabah. The club reached this stage for the first time in its history after defeating Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5–2 after extra time in the playoff second leg, securing a 6–4 aggregate victory.
In the second leg on August 25, Rakhmonaliev started the match and scored Sabah’s second goal in the 74th minute to make it 2–2. Sabah then completed the comeback with three more goals: Tellur Mutallimov scored in stoppage time, followed by extra-time goals from Orphe Mbina and Joy-Lance Mickels.
Sabah have therefore become only the second Azerbaijani club to reach the Champions League league phase, after Qarabağ. UEFA also identified Sabah as competition debutants.
The achievement also marks a significant milestone for Rakhmonaliev. UEFA lists him as a Sabah midfielder and Uzbekistan international. He made eight appearances during the 2026/27 Champions League qualifying campaign and scored once — in the decisive second leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The Champions League league-phase draw will take place in Monaco on August 27, with the first league-phase matches scheduled for September 8–10.
Sabah have therefore become only the second Azerbaijani club to reach the Champions League league phase, after Qarabağ. UEFA also identified Sabah as competition debutants.
The achievement also marks a significant milestone for Rakhmonaliev. UEFA lists him as a Sabah midfielder and Uzbekistan international. He made eight appearances during the 2026/27 Champions League qualifying campaign and scored once — in the decisive second leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The Champions League league-phase draw will take place in Monaco on August 27, with the first league-phase matches scheduled for September 8–10.
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