MOIK and Shimal played out a 1:1 draw in the second round of the Birinci Dəstə on Thursday at Baku's main ground. The fixture ended level after both sides took one apiece, leaving neither team with a win after the opening weekend.
And here's the thing about the first hour — nothing opened up. No chances created, no pressure built. The game stayed tight with neither side willing to take risks, which meant the opening goal wouldn't come until well into the second half.
By then, MOIK had finally broken through in the 49th minute when N. Osmanov found the net. The home side took a lead they wouldn't hold, but the goal came after a period of quiet where both teams seemed content to exchange possession without testing each other.
Shimal responded with purpose. Z. Merdanov equalised in the 66th minute, and the away side held on for a point after that. He'd waited for his moment, and when it came he made it count.
Both teams sit on zero points after their opening defeats, though the results are split differently. MOIK occupy ninth place following their loss to Şamaxı, while Shimal are eighth after falling to Cəbrayıl. The draw means neither side gained ground from the first round.
MOIK's opening fixture ended in a 0:1 defeat away at Şamaxı on September third, whereas Shimal lost 1:2 away to Cəbrayıl on September fourth. Both clubs had better recent results against each other in May, when they played out a 1:1 draw at that stage.
The result leaves both sides searching for their first win of the campaign. A point each after two rounds, and neither team has yet proven themselves in the league.
