May 13 – Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag have etched their name into Asian football history, defeating Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC 2-1 after extra-time to claim a first Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League title on Saturday at Phnom Penh’s Morodok Techo National Stadium.
The AFC Challenge League, introduced as part of a major overhaul of Asian club competitions, is the Confederation’s third-tier continental tournament. It was created to provide a competitive platform for clubs from emerging Member Associations, broadening access to international football and accelerating development across Asia.
FC Arkadag’s triumph marks a remarkable end to their debut campaign. After Mekan Saparow gave the Turkmen side the lead on 59 minutes, a late equaliser from Sareth Krya took the final into extra-time.
But with just eight minutes remaining, Altymyrat Annadurdyýew struck the winner to seal the title and continue Turkmenistan’s legacy in AFC competitions — following in the footsteps of FC HTTU and Balkan, winners of the now-defunct AFC President’s Cup in 2014 and 2013 respectively.
AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa praised Arkadag’s achievement and the tournament’s successful first edition, underscoring the importance of the Challenge League in the AFC’s wider vision for the game in Asia.
“Competitions, as the AFC has reiterated, are key drivers of development. The introduction of the AFC Challenge League™ as part of our reforms epitomises our ambitions to provide more opportunities for our emerging Member Associations to compete and grow through top-level competitions,” he said.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag on sealing a historic AFC Challenge League crown and our praise must also go to both the Football Federation of Turkmenistan and the Football Federation of Cambodia for creating a vibrant environment for their clubs to thrive on the Continental stage.”
He added: “This new historic chapter could not have been written without the unwavering support of our gracious hosts in the Group Stages, and I applaud all of them, and everyone who worked behind the scenes, from start to finish, for their unity in ensuring a memorable AFC Challenge League season – one that will strengthen the foundations for us to scale new benchmarks in the coming years.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at hmoc.l1747160981labto1747160981ofdlr1747160981owedi1747160981sni@g1747160981niwe.1747160981yrra1747160981
