Arkadag begin another AFC Champions League Two campaign after two years of significant progress on the international stage. Winning the AFC Challenge League, reaching the AFC Champions League Two knockout stage and facing opponents of the calibre of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr have given the Turkmen club experience that the team simply did not have a few years ago.
Ahead of their opening group-stage match, Eurasia Football spoke with Mergen Orazov about the state of the squad, the return of injured players, Arkadag’s changing mentality, interest from foreign clubs in Turkmen footballers and the team’s group-stage opponents.
— Have you managed to keep the core of the squad together, and how satisfied are you with the current team?
— Arkadag’s squad has barely changed recently. Following last season’s Champions League campaign, including the matches against Al-Nassr, the club managed to retain the core of the team.
In addition, players who had previously missed matches through injury have returned, including Shanazar Tirkishov, Altymyrat Annadurdyyev and Yhlas Saparmammedov.
At the start of the season, Rahman Myratberdiyev, Meylis Diniyev and Dayanch Meredov joined the team. The club management did the necessary work to strengthen the squad, so we can say that the main requests of the coaching staff were met. At the moment, the squad is strong and well balanced.
— How ready is the current Arkadag side for another campaign in Asian competition?
— Yes, I believe the team is ready for international matches. Over the past two years, Arkadag have come a long way in Asian competitions: we won the AFC Challenge League trophy and last season progressed from the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two.
During this period, the players gained the necessary international experience, became more confident and developed a better understanding of the demands of matches at this level.
Today, this is a more mature, united and stronger team. The players know what they are capable of and remain highly motivated. We are ready.
— How much has that international experience changed the players psychologically? Do you feel the team now approaches big-name opponents differently?
— Absolutely. This experience gives the players confidence.
The team is already very different from the one that first entered the international arena two years ago. Since then, the players have been involved in many serious matches, achieved important results and experienced the demands of this level.
Today, the team is much calmer when facing well-known opponents. There is no longer the same excessive nervousness. The players go onto the pitch with respect for the opposition, but at the same time they believe in their own ability and understand that they can compete at international level.
— Will Arkadag play all of their group-stage home matches at their own stadium?
— Yes. According to the information we have, all of our home matches in the group stage should be played at Arkadag Stadium.
— In recent years, young Turkmen footballers have increasingly been getting opportunities to continue their careers abroad. How important is this process for Turkmen football?
— It is encouraging to see young Turkmen footballers developing and getting opportunities to continue their careers at strong foreign clubs.
We hope that in the future more and more of our young players will compete in leading leagues in Asia and around the world and represent Turkmen football with distinction on the international stage.
— Arkadag have already made a strong impression in Asia. Is there genuine interest from foreign clubs in the team’s players?
— Absolutely. There is interest in Arkadag players from strong foreign clubs.
That is natural because they have performed well in international competitions and demonstrated a high level. Such interest is recognition of the club’s work and the quality of its players.
Although Arkadag are still a young club, they have already established themselves as one of the leading clubs in the region. Many young footballers dream of playing for Arkadag one day, while the players in the current squad are proud to represent the club.
— One thing that stands out in international matches is that Arkadag do not seem afraid even of teams that are far superior in terms of names and squad value.
— I think there is a combination of factors behind that.
This courage and fighting spirit are, to a large extent, characteristic of our people and of the peoples of Central Asia in general. At the same time, the players’ confidence is also the result of systematic work by the club management and coaching staff.
Arkadag always treat their opponents with respect, especially when they are strong and well-known teams. But respect should not turn into fear.
The players believe in themselves and try to play their own football regardless of the status or market value of the opposition.
— One of the biggest names in the group is Al Jazira. How closely have you already studied them, and what can Arkadag rely on to compete with a team of that level?
— The coaching staff prepare the team step by step for each match.
Right now, our main focus is on the upcoming game against Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq, so they are the opponent we are studying in detail first. There will still be time for a thorough analysis of Al Jazira.
Arkadag do not play against big names — we play against a team.
Of course, the quality of Al Jazira’s players deserves great respect. Before the match, the coaching staff will study their strengths and weaknesses in detail and determine how we can use our own advantages most effectively.
Those advantages include unity, a high work rate, team discipline and a huge desire to win.
— The match against Al Jazira comes in the final, sixth round. Could that schedule work in Arkadag’s favour if the opposition have already achieved their objectives by then?
— In theory, the schedule could eventually prove to be a small advantage.
However, it would be wrong to rely on Al Jazira having already achieved their tournament objectives by the final round.
For the sixth-round match to really have decisive significance for Arkadag, the team first needs to get through the previous matches successfully and remain in contention to progress from the group.
There is a lot of work to be done and many tasks to solve before December 9. So right now we need to focus on the upcoming matches rather than look that far ahead.
— Gol Gohar have significantly rebuilt their squad and changed coach. How much does that complicate preparations for the match against the Iranian club?
— Iranian clubs are traditionally very strong and play high-quality football.
Gol Gohar are now, in many respects, a new team. Naturally, those changes make preparing for the match a little more difficult.
However, there will still be time before we face them. The coaching staff will carefully analyse their latest matches, study their strengths and weaknesses and prepare an appropriate game plan.
At the same time, it is important not only to take Gol Gohar’s qualities into account, but also to make the most effective use of Arkadag’s own strengths.
— The match against Gol Gohar will be played at a neutral venue in Tajikistan. Could that give Arkadag a slight advantage? Are you expecting support from local fans?
— To some extent, playing the match in Tajikistan could give Arkadag a small advantage because Gol Gohar will also not be playing at their home stadium.
However, we should not overestimate this factor. They have strong and highly qualified players, so the venue is unlikely to play a decisive role.
We hope our Tajik brothers will support Arkadag. It would be very nice to feel the backing of the local fans, and we hope their support can help the team achieve a positive result.
— Arkadag’s first opponent will be Al-Muharraq. Compared with Al Jazira and Gol Gohar, they might be viewed as a more favourable opponent. How dangerous are they?
— Al-Muharraq absolutely cannot be underestimated.
They are a strong club with an impressive international pedigree. Their squad includes national-team players and quality foreign footballers, while the club’s previous achievements also underline the level of the opposition.
Arkadag have great respect for Al-Muharraq, but, as I said earlier, we are not afraid of any opponent.
Especially because the first match will be played at our home stadium in front of our supporters. The team will try to show its best qualities and achieve the best possible result.
— After winning the AFC Challenge League and performing successfully last season, the bar has been raised for Arkadag. What is the club’s objective in this season’s AFC Champions League Two?
— Every club has to keep progressing, and Arkadag have been moving forward consistently for several years.
As the team develops, its ambitions also grow. So this season the club wants to take the next step and achieve new, even more significant results on the international stage.
At the same time, we have to assess the draw objectively. This is a very strong group and there will be no easy matches.
Nevertheless, the club is counting on quality work from the coaching staff, good preparation from the players and maximum commitment from the team in every match.
The main objective is to move forward step by step, from match to match, and fight for the best possible result.