
AFC Challenge League
Victory for the Turkmenistan side not only meant continental honour but also a ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™.
Group Stage
FK Arkadag topped Group B, opening their challenge with a 2-1 win against Maziya Sports and RC of the Maldives.
That was followed by a 2-0 victory against Kyrgyz Republic's FC Abdysh-Ata to set the stage for a thrilling Matchday Three.
FK Arkadag topped Group B, opening their challenge with a 2-1 win against Maziya Sports and RC of the Maldives.
That was followed by a 2-0 victory against Kyrgyz Republic's FC Abdysh-Ata to set the stage for a thrilling Matchday Three.
#ChallengeLeague | Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 3-2 FC Arkadag (TKM)
Up next for Arkadag were Al Arabi SC, with the Kuwaiti side needing a win to book their quarter-final spot.
Al Arabi achieved a 3-2 victory but Arkadag topped the group on goal difference, with Al Arabi also advancing with Abdysh-Ata missing out despite also finishing on six points.
Al Arabi achieved a 3-2 victory but Arkadag topped the group on goal difference, with Al Arabi also advancing with Abdysh-Ata missing out despite also finishing on six points.
Quarter-finals
Yazgylyc Gurbanow's 10th minute strike secured FC Arkadag a 1-0 advantage in the away leg against East Bengal.
Yazgylyc Gurbanow's 10th minute strike secured FC Arkadag a 1-0 advantage in the away leg against East Bengal.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 2nd Leg: FC Arkadag (TKM) 2-1 (3-1 AGG) East Bengal (IND)
The Indian side, however, cancelled the deficit through Messi Boulli in the first minute of the return leg.
The tie was evenly poised until Altymyrat Annadurdyyew took matters into his own hands, striking in the 89th and 90+8 minutes to secure the Turkmenistan side a 3-1 aggregate win.
The tie was evenly poised until Altymyrat Annadurdyyew took matters into his own hands, striking in the 89th and 90+8 minutes to secure the Turkmenistan side a 3-1 aggregate win.
Semi-finals
Up next was a rematch with Al Arabi, with the two sides having met in the group stage.
Goals from Christopher John (71st) and Salman Al Awadhi (90+4) in the first leg seemed to have assured Al Arabi SC their spot in the final.
Up next was a rematch with Al Arabi, with the two sides having met in the group stage.
Goals from Christopher John (71st) and Salman Al Awadhi (90+4) in the first leg seemed to have assured Al Arabi SC their spot in the final.
#ChallengeLeague | SF, 2nd Leg: FC Arkadag (TKM) 3-0 (3-2 AGG) Al Arabi FC (KUW)
The Turkmenistan side, however, made full use of home ground advantage to snatch a sensational 3-0 win in the return leg.
Sanazar Tirkisow got the comeback rolling with his seventh minute goal and Altymyrat Annadurdyyew cancelled the deficit in the 58th minute.
With Al Arabi on the ropes, Tirkisow netted the winner in the fourth minute of time added on as FC Arkadag deservedly took their place in the final.
Sanazar Tirkisow got the comeback rolling with his seventh minute goal and Altymyrat Annadurdyyew cancelled the deficit in the 58th minute.
With Al Arabi on the ropes, Tirkisow netted the winner in the fourth minute of time added on as FC Arkadag deservedly took their place in the final.
Final
Arkadag claimed the title as Altymyrat Annadurdyyew struck eight minutes from the end of extra-time to earn the Turkmen outfit a 2-1 win over Svay Rieng FC at a sold-out Morodok Techo National Stadium.
Arkadag claimed the title as Altymyrat Annadurdyyew struck eight minutes from the end of extra-time to earn the Turkmen outfit a 2-1 win over Svay Rieng FC at a sold-out Morodok Techo National Stadium.
#ChallengeLeague | Final: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 1-2 AET FC Arkadag (TKM)
Annadurdyyew netted the winner after Mekan Saparow had seen his 59th minute opener for the side from Ashgabat cancelled out by Saret Krya’s header with eight minutes remaining to take the decider into extra-time in Phnom Penh.
Head coach Ahmet Allaberdiyev’s side prevailed to become the third club from Turkmenistan to win a continental title, with Arkadag following in the footsteps of Balkan and HTTU Asgabat, who won the AFC President’s Cup in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Head coach Ahmet Allaberdiyev’s side prevailed to become the third club from Turkmenistan to win a continental title, with Arkadag following in the footsteps of Balkan and HTTU Asgabat, who won the AFC President’s Cup in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Annadurdeyyew won the Top Scorer award while his teammate Sanazar Tirkisow was named the Most Valuable Player.




