Zira beat Mil-Mugan 3:1 in the Azerbaijan Premier League's Regular Season 2 on Friday night. The hosts had led since the forty-third minute when E. Aydin struck, and they held on despite a flurry of late action. It moved Zira to the top of the table with nine points from three games, while Mil-Mugan dropped to sixth with four.
The opening goal came after some patience from the home side. Aydin found space and finished, giving Zira a lead they would not surrender. Mil-Mugan tried to respond but could not find the net before the break, and the half ended with the hosts ahead.
And here's the thing about the second half — Zira controlled the tempo. Ruan Renato added a second in the eightieth minute, and Dos Santos made it three shortly after. Mil-Mugan pulled one back through Volkovi at the death, but by then the damage was done.
The statistics tell a different story than the final score suggests. Zira held 63 per cent possession and fired eighteen shots at goal, eight on target. Mil-Mugan had 37 per cent possession and managed only six shots, two on target. They created chances late but could not turn them into a comeback.
There were six yellow cards between the two sides, four for the visitors. Zira's discipline held up, while Mil-Mugan struggled to keep composure as the game opened up. The away side also had fourteen goal kicks compared to Zira's six — not exactly a sign of sustained pressure.
Zira now sit top with a perfect record from three matches. They beat Saafa Baku 2:0 last weekend and have won every game this season. Mil-Mugan, meanwhile, dropped points and remain outside the European places.