There’s a new energy in Central Asian soccer and, a 12 months in the past, it didn’t even exist.
Turkmenistan’s Arkadag FC kicked their first-ever ball in a aggressive sport simply in April with a 2-1 win over Merw within the nation’s high division. They then strolled to the league title by profitable each match within the 24-game league season.
By the top, the champions of the nine-team league scored 83 objectives and conceded solely 17.
It’s maybe not that stunning that this utterly new membership has instantly turn into dominant at house.
They’re one of many initiatives began by former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who was recognized to the nation of six million as “Arkadag” – a nickname which interprets to “Hero Protector”. The ruler, who took energy in 2006, handed the reins of state to his son Serdar Berdymukhamedov in 2022 however continues to be very a lot on the political scene.
One among his greatest legacies is the development of a wise metropolis, which price about $5bn, additionally known as Arkadag, primarily based within the south of the nation close to the capital, Ashgabat. It was shortly determined that the 70,000 or so residents of this contemporary metropolis wanted a brand new membership.
Berdymukhamedov senior was not simply concerned within the naming of the workforce but additionally designed the brand, which is that of a horse, a recurring picture within the president’s tenure throughout which he was typically portrayed on horseback.
‘It’s mainly the nationwide workforce’
Forward of the 2023 season, this new membership moved into the switch market and signed many of the nation’s high gamers akin to nationwide workforce captain Arslanmyrat Amanov and star striker Altymyrat Annadurdyyew. In a current squad named for World Cup qualification, 14 of the 26 chosen have been Arkadag gamers.
“At a sure level the president determined to have his personal membership and so they now have the very best gamers,” Alisher Nikimbaev, former supervisor of the Uzbekistan nationwide workforce and an Asian Soccer Confederation official, instructed Al Jazeera.
“That is now mainly the nationwide workforce of Turkmenistan taking part in in a neighborhood competitors. They’re profitable the whole lot. It’s no shock as they’ve the administration behind them however it is a regular scenario in Turkmenistan.”
Turkmenistan has been in contrast with North Korea when it comes to the persona cults that encompass its leaders and likewise because it is among the most secretive, remoted and authoritarian nations on the planet.
In accordance with Al Jazeera sources, there have been rumblings of discontent from followers of different golf equipment at the truth that the switch window was prolonged so Arkadag might full all of the participant signings it wished. There has additionally been grumbling over perceived beneficial choices from referees, akin to a controversial resolution given within the ultimate seconds in opposition to Sagadam in November that ensured a 3-2 victory.
“Publicly there isn’t any objection as individuals listed here are used to dwelling below a dictatorship and are used to not saying no matter they suppose,” mentioned Nikimbaev.
Additionally it is arduous to genuinely say what sort of enthusiasm exists within the new metropolis for the brand new workforce. The ten,000 capability Arkadag Stadium is full on match days however Nikimbaev identified that the stands look regimented.
“There aren’t many followers, it’s all organised and they’re teams who all are available in the identical uniform.”
Central Asia
Arkadag’s story shouldn’t be distinctive within the area. In 2013, Astana FC was integrated into the Astana Presidential Sports activities Membership, a challenge of then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev which acquired monetary backing from Samruk-Kazyna, a sovereign wealth fund created by Nazarbayev in 2008.
The membership then received the subsequent six league titles within the nation and has performed within the UEFA Champions League, probably the most prestigious membership competitors on the planet.
In 2008, Uzbekistan made headlines world wide as Bunyodkor FC signed Brazilian famous person Rivaldo after which performed a pleasant sport in opposition to Barcelona. The Tashkent-based membership, which then went on to win 5 of the subsequent six league titles and reached the final 4 of the Asian Champions League in 2009, was carefully linked to Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of President Islam Karimov.
“It’s a part of a marketing campaign by the president to win recognition for his daughter,” former British ambassador to the nation Craig Murray mentioned in 2009. “I hear that she is going to ultimately substitute him as president. The regime is attempting to win recognition by the old school bread and circuses methodology.”
It didn’t work as she was jailed after her father died in 2016.
Over in Dushanbe, Istiklol have dominated the Tajikistan league since 2007. It was co-founded by the son of President Emomali Rahmon. Rustam Emomali additionally went on to play for the workforce, solely stopping in 2012 when he grew to become president of the nation’s soccer affiliation.
Istiklol even made the Asian Champions League, the continent’s premier membership competitors, famously defeating Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in 2021.
Mubin Ergashev was the coach on the time.
“Arkadag have a challenge and a plan and like Istiklol, what they want is time and to develop understanding between their gamers,” Ergashev, who additionally coached the Tajikistan nationwide workforce, instructed Al Jazeera, including that they might want to enhance their squad with international gamers to problem for trophies in Asia.
With home domination full, that’s the subsequent step. Arkadag will take part within the AFC Cup, the continent’s second-tier competitors.
“They’ve the very best gamers so within the quick time period, perhaps the membership can obtain one thing in Asia,” mentioned Nikimbaev. “In the long run, it received’t achieve success because the dominance of Arkadag will deliver down the extent of competitors in Turkmenistan.”
Istiklol reached the ultimate of the AFC Cup in 2015 and 2017 however Ergashev is uncertain as as to whether there will likely be any worldwide glory for Arkadag – each membership and former president – to indulge in.
“We should wait and see what occurs after they play subsequent 12 months,” mentioned Ergashev.
The coach can be involved about the usual of the league in Turkmenistan if it stays too straightforward for Arkadag FC.
“It isn’t good if the very best workforce in a rustic doesn’t have a rival.”
