Altyn Asyr in the 2018 AFC Cup Final
For the first time in the history of Turkmen football, Altyn Asyr Club from Ashgabat sealed their place in the 2018 AFC Cup Final after a 1-1 draw with 4.25 SC, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in the Inter-zone Final second leg. The crucial match took place in Ashgabat Stadium of the capital on October 3. The sides had drawn the first leg 2-2 in Pyongyang and Vahyt Orazsakhedov’s second-half penalty was the decisive goal for the Turkmen after Han Song-hyok had given the visitors an early lead. For Altyn Asyr, to progress to AFC Cup final, to make a draw could be enough. But opponents were in need to win only. 4.25 SC started brightly and went 1-0 up in the seventh minute. Sim Hyon-jin tested Mamed Orazmuhamedov in the Altyn Asyr goal and the keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Han Song-hyok who gleefully headed home. The hosts responded with an excellent run and cross down the left from Altmyrat Annadurdyyev but Kim Chol-bom made a vital clearance at the far post. But it was the visitors who threatened again in the 17th minute when An Il-born stole possession and ran forward before his 20-yard shot was saved by Orazmuhamedov. Ten minutes later, Altyn Asyr had a decent effort on goal when Gurbangeldi laid the ball back to Resul Hojayev but the midfielder’s powerful drive from 25 yards was just too close to the goalkeeper. Kim Yu-song then missed an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0 when he fired wide after being put through on goal by Sim Hyon-jin’s excellent through ball in the 36th minute. On the stroke of half time, the home side had the perfect chance to equalise when Orazsahedov went clean through. His dinked effort beat An Tae-song but drifted wide of the post. Altyn Asyr were almost made to pay for that miss early in the second half when 4.25 SC were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kim Yu-song. But spot-kick of An Il-born, top goal-scorer of the AFC Cup this leg, was well saved by Mamed Orazmuhamedov. The missed penalty put Koreans down, that was noted by the head coach of 4.25 SC at the post-match press conference. Hojayev then rifled another long-range shot at the 4.25 SC goal but An Tae-song pushed it wide for a corner. In the 64th minute, it was the hosts who were given a penalty after Serdar Annaorazov was chopped down by Kim Bol-chom. Vahyt Orazsahedov made no mistake from the spot to put his side ahead in the tie on away goals. The score 1-1 was comfortable for our players, but the Koreans had to be sure to score. As the game swung from end to end, Annadurdiyev thundered in a 20-yard shot that flashed wide. Despite their need to find a goal, 4.25 SC struggled to make any clear chances as Altyn Asyr worked hard to keep them at bay. They withstood some late pressure and progressed to the AFC Cup Final for the first time. This achievement is the best not for Altyn Asyr team only, but also for Turkmen football clubs in the entire history of Asian Cups games. Our team, representing the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, participates in such competition for the fourth time. Year after year, the Turkmen football players, gaining experience and improving skills, go higher in the standings. In the 2018 season, Altyn Asyr began its journey as the champion of Turkmenistan from the group stage, omitting the qualification stage. The group teams included Istiklol (Tajikistan) and Alay Osh (Kyrgyzstan), as well as compatriots Ahal team. It should be noted that for the first time in the tournament of such a high level, in the group stage, our country was represented by two clubs in one season. For further participation in the competition, to get the playoffs, our players needed a victory only. At this leg, the Tajik team, which a year ago did not allow Altyn Asyr to get out the group, was the main opponent. The final round of the match of these clubs was the crucial. Before the match, Altyn Asyr team won Alay Alay (6-3 away, 5-0 home matches) and Ahal (1-0), and also played two draws with Ahal (0-0) and Istiklol (2-2) and had in total two points less, than leader of the group. As to Champion of Tajikistan, to make a draw could be enough. The match was difficult and tense. Our team scored the most important goal at the added time. After a 3-2 score, the Turkmen club for the first time in history entered the playoffs of the tournament and became the winner of the “Central Zone” of the AFC Cup. In the Inter-Zone semi-finals, our team met with JSW Bengaluru of India, the winner of the “South Zone”. In the first away match, Ashgabat team scored three goals and missed two. In the home match at the Kopetdag stadium, Altyn Asyr won the Indian team with a 2-0 score. The level of play of the Turkmen team was also highly appreciated by the coach of opponent team. Altyn Asyr now face defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq – who are aiming for an unprecedented third successive title – in the 2018 AFC Cup Final.
