September 17, 2025
This week saw the start of the group stages of the 2025/26 AFC Club competitions and the match-up between Arkadag and Andijon caught Fatbear’s eye, as it would be the first time football in Turkmenistan had been covered in these diaries.
This was a meeting between the champions of Turkmenistan against the winners of the Uzbekistan Cup. The two other sides in their group were Al-Ahli from Qatar and Al Khaldiya from Bahrain.
FK Arkadag
Turkmenistan is a notoriously secretive country and compared by many to North Korea. Mainstream social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are banned, there is heavy censorship, and criticism of the government is illegal.
Details of its domestic football are often very limited, with usually just the scores of matches reported. It was though, one of the few countries that played through the first 2020 Covid lockdown and highlights of one game was even shown on Sky Sports News !
FK Arkadag were only formed in 2023 as a pet project of Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, President of Turkmenistan between 2006 to 2022 until he handed over the reins to his son Serdar, although it is believed he is still pulling the strings.
Gurbanguly’s nickname was Arkadag, which apparently translates as “hero protector”. Another of his pet projects was the creation of a new city in the south of the country around 35 km from the capital Ashgabat, which commenced in 2019 as a greenfield site, and by the start of 2023 had an estimated population of over 70,000. The city was also named Arkadag.
Naturally the new city needed a football team to support, and the 2023 season was delayed to allow the creation of FK Arkadag, and for them to sign most of the country’s best players, and to play in the newly built 10,000 capacity Arkadag stadium. They were parachuted directly into the top division.
Amid much suspicion of match-fixing or preferential treatment, Arkadag won the 2023 league and Cup by winning every match, which they repeated in 2024 and added the Super Cup for good measure. On one occasion a score was initially reported on a few websites as 0-0 draw, before being changed to a 3-1 victory the following day……
In 2024, Arkadag were only granted a licence to play in the third tier AFC Challenge League and had racked up 62 consecutive victories before they lost a group match 2-3 in Kuwait to Al-Arabi, to bring the run to an end. They still qualified from the group and went on to met Al-Arabi in the semi-finals, where again they were beaten in Kuwait, this time 0-2. However, they scored in added on time in the second leg to win 3-0 to reach the final.
The final was played in Cambodia against local favourites Svey Rieng in front of a sell-out crowd of 55,000, but Arkadag went on to win 2-1 in extra time to give Turkmenistan its first ever AFC title.
Turkmenistan League
The Turkmenistan Higher League, or Yokary Liga was formed in 1992 after the break-up of the Soviet Union. The most successful sides since independence had been Altyn Asyr ( 8 titles ) and Kopetdag ( 6 titles ), with both sides located in the capital Ashgabat.
The league currently consists of eight sides who play each other four times for a 28-game season.
Arkadag have currently won all 20 league matches this season, extending their winning streak in domestic matches to 86 games ( 74 League, 11 Cup and 1 Super Cup )
Turkmenistan National Team
The Turkmenistan National Team is currently 140th in the FIFA rankings, with a career high of 86th in 2004. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice reached the finals of the Asian Cup, in 2003 and 2019, but had only one draw from 6 matches in the final stages.
Turkmenistan have made a good start in the qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup Finals. With only the winners of their group to qualify for the finals they began with a 2-1 victory in Taiwan before recording a resounding 3-1 home win over higher ranked Thailand. Two matches against Sri Lanka are next on the agenda, before the reverse fixtures are played.
The most recent squad included 15 Arkadag players, with 5 others having played in the prior 12 months.
Arkadag Squad
All of the Arkadag squad come from Turkmenistan and there were 21 internationals on their books. Of those involved tonight, the most notable were captain of the national side defender Mekan Saparov ( 32 caps ), midfielder Ahmet Atayev ( 38 caps ), who had played in indonesia and Malaysia, forward Altymyrat Annadurdyyev ( 36 caps and 9 goals ), team captain Abdy Byashimov ( 22 caps ), who had played in Uzbekistan for Qizilqum, and forward Didar Durdyyev ( 21 caps ), who had also played in Uzbekistan for Mash'Al Mubarek.
PFC Andijon
Andijon is located 350km east of the capital Tashkent, close to the border with Kyrgyzstan, and its football team had featured once before in these diaries, when they won 1-0 at Mash'Al Mubarek in September 2021.
https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2021/09/fk-mashal-mubarek-0-1-pfk-andijon-att-0.html
However, despite this victory they were relegated at the end of that season, but immediately secured promotion back to the Super League by winning the 2022 second tier Pro League. In 2023 they finished in 7th place and last year they came 9th. However, silverware was won by winning the Uzbekistan Cup, beating fierce local rivals Navbahor 3-2 in extra time in the final.
Andijon were the best supported side in Uzbekistan in 2024 with an average of 14,153, and so far in 2025 their average was 11,731. Home is the 18,360 capacity Bobur Arena, and Andijon’s nickname is The Eagles.
In 2025 the Uzbekistan Super League expanded to 16 teams, and with two-thirds of the season played Andijon were in 11th place with a 5-6-9 record. Their form had been streaky, going unbeaten in their opening 5 matches, including a 1-1 home draw with champions Nasaf and a 3-2 victory at perennial champions Pakhtakor. They then lost 5 on the trot, after which they went four games unbeaten. Andijon came into today’s match on the back of three consecutive defeats, the most recent being a 2-6 home reverse to Pakhtakor.
PFC Andijon Squad
Sides in Uzbekistan can sign as many foreigner players as they like but can only play four in a league match. Andijon’s foreign players included Polish centre-back Krystian Nowak, who had played for Hearts of Midlothian, Irish side Bohemians as well as sides in Kazakhstan, Romania, Greece and Croatia in addition to Poland.
Kyrgyzstan keeper Erzhan Tokotaev ( 33 caps ) had played in Kazakhstan and the Turkish Second Division whilst Nigerian striker ishmahil Akinade had an interesting career, having started in Ireland with Bray Wanderers, Bohemians and Waterford, before going on to play in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Slovenian midfielder Altin Kryeziu had been on the books of Torino and was loaned out to Belgian side Eupen, and had since played in Croatia and Albania.
There were no Uzbek internationals in the Andijon squad for today’s match, although midfielder Saidumarkhon Saidnurullaev was a current Under 21 international and was on loan from Pakhtakor. Defender Shakhzod Azmiddinov was also on loan from Pakhtakor.
Andijon’s top scorer in 2025 was Rustam Turdimurodov with 6 goals, but his loan from Pakhtakor ended and he had since been loaned to Surkhon Termez.
The top scorer still at the club was winger Bektemir Abdumannonov with 4 goals, whilst winger Doniyor Abdumannopov and midfielder Damir Temirov had both found the net 3 times.
According to Transfermarkt, right-back Sunnatillokh Khamidzhonov was Andijon’s most valuable player at €400K.
Midfielder Mukhammadkarim Toirov and defender Usmonali Ismonaliev appeared to be the only survivors from the team that beat Mash'Al Mubarek in September 2021.
Legendary record scorer for the Uzbekistan national side and ex-Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh was appointed coach in May. Shatskikh was part of the Uzbekistan side that I saw defeat Bangladesh 6-0 in the UAE in 1999, where he scored two goals.
Matchday Information
This distance from Andijon to Arkadag is over 1,600km and would take 25 hours by road. There are no direct scheduled flights between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan but 50 or so Andijon fans were in a corner of the ground, all dressed in a red ultras uniform.
The match was live streamed on Bet365, who made Arkadag 9/10 favourites, with Andijon at 12/5 and the draw 27/10. The match was also shown live on The AFC Hub YouTube channel but with no commentary.
The weather at the 18.45 local time kick-off ( 14.45 UK ) was clear and 26 degrees.
The Arkadag starting XI contain nine of the players that started in the 2024 AFC Challenge Cup Final, with the other two on the substitutes’ bench. Andijon made three changes to the side that lost at home to Pakhtakor.
Andijon were in all red kit whilst Arkadag were in all white with a blue band across the front of their shirts.
The referee and his assistants were from Singapore.
Match Report
The pitched looked to be in poor condition and early on, the home crowd cheered wildly every time their side broke across the halfway line. The Arkadag faithful had packed the ground and there was an Impressive white and blue colour co-ordination in the two main stands and white and green, or all white colours in the others. Plenty of green Turkmenstan flags were being waved, and it looked like there was little room for any individualism !
The game nearly got off to a dramatic start as with less than 40 seconds on the clock, Akinade header over the bar from 86 yards from right wing cross from Abdumannonov. Andijon had started fast and a free-kick after a foul on Abdumannopov was put wide for a goal-kick.
In the 5th minute the visitors had the ball in the back of the Arkadag net, as Akinade ran onto a pass from Temirov and slid the ball past the advancing keeper, but he was a yard offside so the goal was chalked off.
Two minutes later Arkadag had a chance when Saparov found space inside the Andijon area from a long cross-field free-kick but mishit across goal. The ball reached Durdyyev unmarked inside the 6-yard box at the far post but inexplicably he completely missed the ball. However, it didn’t matter as both players were offside.
After this initial flurry, the match calmed down with Arkadag dominating possession but creating very little. Sapargulyyev sent a free-kick a couple of yards over the bar, Tirkisov’s long range shot bounced harmlessly wide of far post as the keeper watched on, and Durdyyev’s header from a right-wing cross was an easy save for Tokotaev.
A quick free-kick by Arkadag put Gurbanov in space as the Andijon defence were caught napping, but the blasted low cross was blocked by Khamidzhonov for a corner. The was an element of confusion in area from corner, but Durdyyev turned and shot well wide.
At the other end, an Andijon corner bounced across the goal mouth and Saidnurullaev headed a couple of feet over. There were some half-hearted appeals for a penalty after an Andijon played had fallen to the floor but the referee wasn’t interested.
As the match moved past the half-hour mark, Andijon won a free-kick, which was taken by Abdumannonov but Arkadag were able to clear the bouncing delivery.
Arkadag still were having most of the possession but were not making any impression on the visitors’ defence. Byashimov ran at the Andijon defence and fell over after a challenge by Toirov, but no foul was given.
The first yellow card of the game was shown in the 40th minute after Ybrayym Mammedov ( 10 caps ) was beaten by Abdumannopov’s clever turn on the left-hand touchline.
The final action of the first half, if it could be called that, came a minute before the break when Abdumannonov went on a good run down the right wing, running around one defender, but was shepherded out of play for a goal-kick by Saparow.
Two added minutes were to be played, interestingly announced first in English and then in Turkmen.
At the break Arkadag were show to have had 59% of the possession, but there had been just one effort on target, and that header from Arkadah was hardly threatening !
Arkadag won a corner in the first minute of the second period, which looked to have been put out at the near post by Akinade but goal kick was given. The replay showed this was a good decision by the officials !
Andijon had a short spell of pressure, with two long throws from Khamidzhonov bouncing across the Arkadag penalty area before being unconvincingly cleared. Arkadag then carelessly gave away possession in the Andijon half, and Abdumannonov won a corner for the visitors. Keeper Resul Caryyrev ( 12 caps ) made a hash of trying to punch the corner clear, only managing to send it backward but high and wide of his goal for another corner, which Guychmyrat Annagulyyev ( 23 caps ) headed away. The Andijon drummers were now clearly audible
Arkadag substitute Shamammet Hydyrov ( 1 cap ) made an instant impact, first going on a mazy run and won a throw in mid-way inside Andijon half and then received the second yellow card for a high foot on Khamidzhonov. Hydyrov then created space away from Khamidzhonov inside the area on left and floated a cross to far post, which was bravely headed away by Azimov, who was clattered into by Annadurdyyev and a free-kick was given.
With 65 minutes played, a low ball was played across the Andijan area which Khamidzhonov cleared and Hydyrov ran into him late for another free-kick to Andijon.
Arkadag won a corner two minutes and there was a delay before Shanazar Tirkisov ( 14 caps ) could take as the referee showed a yellow card to Khamidzhonov after some jostling in the area. The corner was played to the near post were Annagulyyev’s flicked header went across the face of the goal and hit the far post, but the referee’s whistle had already blown for pushing.
With twenty minutes remaining Abdumannopov ran past the Arkadag right back and into the penalty area but his attempted blast across goalmouth hit a defender for corner. The Inswinger saw another poor punch from the Arkadag keeper, which went off for another corner, and Arkadag’s Byashimov was shown a yellow card for something unseen. The corner from Abdumannonov saw two richochets before being cleared. Andijon reworked to Abdumannonov but the cross into the box was headed yards wide by Akinade.
Andijon were enjoying another spell of pressure and Abdumannopov won another corner on the left, which was headed off for another corner, which this time led to a scramble before Akinade teed up Temirov, but the shot from just inside the area deflected off for another corner.
Toirov entered the referee’s notebook after hauling down Tirkisov close to right hand touchline but the left footed in-swinging free-kick was headed away.
With 10 minutes left to play, Arkadag won a corner, which was cleared, but when Arkadag reworked and Hydyrov’s cross to back post was headed back across goal by and Andijon defender. Saparov had his back to goal, took a touch, turned but his effort as he was falling down lacked power and Tokotaev had an easy save. It probably counted as a shot on target !
Toirov then carelessly fouled Hydyrov and was perhaps a little fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card. The 30-yard free-kick was tamely sent into the defensive wall.
Hydyrov then made his way into the Andijon area and his shot hit a defender but it was going wide anyway. Arkadag then forced two corners, which were both well defended
The lively Hydyrov then made his way to the edge of the Andijon area, but could only shoot a couple of feet over the bar.
Four added minutes were to be played and Otabek Jurakuziev won the ball in midfield and found Akinade wide on right, but the Nigerian’s cross drifted beyond far post for a goal kick.
Arkadag attempted a grandstand finish in an effort to win the game. A long ball was pumped into area and was punched away be Tokotaev. Hydyrov beat his marker on the right but his ball into the area was read by Jurakuziev and put out for a corner. A dangerous ball was played towards the far post but Azmiddinov produced a great header to clear.
At the final whistle Arkadag had drawn a match for the first time in their history at the 95th attempt. Although Andijon are only a mid-table side in Uzbekistan, this was a significant step up for Arkadag, and they looked pretty toothless against an organised defence. They did have 58% of the possession, but only had three attempts on target, none of which troubled the Andijon keeper. Substitute Hydyrov looked the most dangerous player for Arkadag
Andijon did not have one effort on target, but did expose some weaknesses with the Arkadag keeper dealing with crosses.
Overall, it was not a game that would live long in the memory !
FK Arkadag : Caryyev – Mammedov, Byashimov, Saparov, Ballakov – Gurbanov ( Hydyrov ), Annagulyyev, Sapargulyyev, Atayev ( Saparmammedov ), – Tirkisov ( Akmammedov ), Durdyyev ( Annadurdyyev )
PFC Andijon : Tokotaev – Khamidzhonov, Nowak, Azmiddinov, Azimov – Saidnurullaev ( Jurakuziev ), Abdumannonov ( Ismonaliev ) , Temirov, Toirov, Abdumannopov - Akinade
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