The best scorer of Turkmenistan: "We are not whipping boys in Asia"
The football season in Turkmenistan has ended. "Ahal" won the championship for the first time in its history, and also won the Cup of Turkmenistan.
Ahal football player Didar Durdyev, who scored 27 goals this season, turned out to be the most productive player of the tournament and won in the Best Scorer nomination.
It should be noted that Ahal will represent Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League - the main club football tournament in Asia.
ORIENT talked to the forward of "Ahal" and found out what is the secret of success and what are the club's plans for the upcoming football season.
― "Ahal" won the first championship in its history, the Cup of Turkmenistan. What tasks were set for the team before the start of the season?
― First of all, I want to congratulate our fans, our management, football players on this significant event. We have been moving towards this for a long time, worked hard, and I think we rightfully deserved the gold medals of the Championship of Turkmenistan and the Cup of the country.
There were a lot of symbolic events this year, and one of them was the debut performance of the club in the best club tournament in Asia.
Every year the club is given the highest goals. For a long time we fought for the championship, and finally, we achieved our goal.
― You became the top scorer of the championship. In the game against which team was the most difficult to play and why?
“Every goal scored is the result of coordinated actions of the whole team. It is difficult to achieve such an award ("Best scorer" - ed.) without good teammates and coaching staff.
There are no easy games in the championship. We prepare for every game, both physically and mentally. The match with the closest pursuer "Altyn Asyr" (victory of "Ahal" - 3: 0) is one of the toughest meetings in the championship, because each of the teams prepares in a special way, adjusts in its own way - such games have a very high intensity. However, the task is one - to win.
― This year, “Ahal” took part in the Asian Champions League for the first time in its history. How can you evaluate the game of the team compared to other Asian clubs?
― In my opinion, Ahal performed well in the AFC Champions League. We have gained a lot of experience competing with more eminent rivals. For us participation in this tournament was a big step forward. In every match we did our best, and for no one were not “whipping boys”.
― “Ahal” again made it to the Asian Champions League. What should be done to adequately perform in its next season?
― Yes, we again won the opportunity to play in the best club tournament in Asia. We already have some experience. We have to prepare well and try to perform even better.
Interviewed by Artur PETROSYANTS
