“Akhal” confidently started in the AFC Cup qualifying tournament

The Silver Medalist of the Turkmenistan Championship and the Cup Holder of the country, the “Akhal” Football Club played on January 23 in Bishkek in the qualifying match of the “AFC-2018 Cup”. Its competitor was the “Bishkek Dordoi” (holder of the Cup of Kyrgyzstan).

Turkmen footballers started the game forcefully. Right after the starting whistle of the Chief Referee Suleyman Muhadov scored the first goal into the opponent’s goal. A good start seams an excellent incentive for the development of advantage. However, at the 19th minute of the match the Kyrgyz team equalizes the score to be 1:1.

In the second half, players of “Akhal” team constantly attacked the opponent’s goal. At the 75th minute, Murat Annayev took our team forward with an effective shot, and in 11 minutes he also brought things to a close by scoring the third goal.

The victory of trainees of head coach Rovshen Meredov, and even away win, fills with confidence in success in the return match to take place on January 30 in Balkanabat. To reach a next round of the competition, the team can lose at a home match with a minimum score. The winner of the match “Akhal” - “Dordoi” have another qualifying round on the way to the main Asian Football Confederation Cup.

Participation in the group tournament is already secured by the Turkmenistan Champion – “Altyn Asyr” Club of Ashgabat.