Asian Cup: Turkmenistan national team minimally ceded to Japan
Georgiy ASLANYAN
Turkmenistan national football team played the first match at the Asian championship against Japan with a score of 2:3.
Wards of Yazkuli Hojageldiyev demonstrated their best qualities, restraining the onslaught of the Japanese attacks at the beginning of the game, and were the first to open the scoring in the match. At the 27th minute of the meeting, Ruslan Mingazov brought Arslan Amanov to the shock position with an accurate transmission, and the midfielder of the Uzbek Bukhara took a strong blow from outside the penalty area to the left of Gond Shuichi.
Turkmenistan, to the delight of its fans, took the lead and, competently defending itself, retained a comfortable advantage before the break.
Perhaps this result was unexpected for many experts. This can be understood. The Turkmen national team has not declared itself at international tournaments for many years, so its potential was known to few. However the head coach at the pre-match press conference made it clear to rivals that his team, although not a favorite of the tournament, but is in good shape and believes in his strength.
After the break, the game resumed in the same compositions. The Japanese immediately seized the initiative and organized moments at the Turkmen gate. Within five minutes, the attacker of the German "Bremen" Yui Osako twice hit the gate of Mamed Orazmuhamedov.
With two quick goals, Japan returned to the game, restoring its favorite status. Hojageldyev reacted to the missed balls with substitutions. The players of the line of attack of Ashgabat “Altyn Asyr” - Altymurat Annadurdyev and Murat Yagshiyev fired up the game. But they did not manage to save the team from the third missed goal. Ritsu Doan outplayed the goalkeeper of the national team of Turkmenistan, making the score comfortable for his team.
In difficult moments, players are driven by faith in themselves, partners, coaches and the desire to win. After the third missed ball, the football team of Turkmenistan went ahead and played one ball. Japanese goalkeeper brought a penalty into his own net, goal from a point confidently implemented by Ahmet Ataev.
As a result, the match ended in a logical victory for the more masterful Japan, whose players get practice in the leading European championships. But there was no complete sense of triumph, since Turkmenistan could cling to points in the standings.
The Yazkuli Hojageldiyev’s team is waiting for the Central Asian derby, in which the Turkmenistan national team has very good chances to take revenge 15 years later.
And the Japanese team will be preparing for the match with Oman. As their head coach Hajime Moriyasu said: “Each team in this tournament has rightfully earned its place. Therefore, we will prepare for each game in full force.”
