Experienced defender Kamal Guliyev has been recalled to the Azerbaijan squad for the two matches which will go a long way to deciding the Azeris' World Cup fate.

Guliyev, who last played for Azerbaijan in last February's 6-0 defeat to Israel, will replace Agil Mamedov in what is Carlos Alberto's only change to his squad.

"The sweetest dream of each player is to represent his country," said Guliyev. "After sustaining a broken leg in March I could not play for Azerbaijan, but now I can do my best to help the team."

Another full-back, Emin Guliyev, also returns after he missed the Group Six game against Austria on 08 September with a leg injury.

Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto Torres, who captained Brazil to their 1970 World Cup win, was appointed in February and has so far seen his chargeS draw 1-1 at home to Wales before losing 2-0 away to group leaders Austria.

Azerbaijan Squad

Goalkeepers: Dmitry Kramarenko (Baltika Kaliningrad, Russia), Jahangir Hasanzade (Neftchi Baku), Rauf Mehtiyev (Karabakh Agdam)

Defenders: Rashad Sadygov and Emin Guliyev (both Neftchi Baku), Emin Agayev (Baltika Kaliningrad, Russia), Kamal Guliyev (Karvan Yevlakh), Aslan Kerimov, Samir Abbasov and Elman Sultanov (all Karabakh Agdam), Rafael Amirbekov (Baki Baku), Aftandil Hajiyev (Turan Tovuz)

Midfielders: Makhmud Gurbanov and Zaur Tagizade (both Neftchi Baku), Mahir Shukurov (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Ismail Mamedov (Karabagh Agdam), Vusal Guseynov (Samkir), Rashad Abdullayev (Khazar Lenkoran), Anatoly Ponomaryov (without a club)

Forwards: Gurban Gurbanov (Neftchi Baku), Ildar Gurbanov (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Nadir Nabiyev (Turan Tovuz), Samir Aliyev (Khazar Lenkoran)