FK Arkadag of Turkmenistan arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport on Wednesday, May 7. BTV
The reigning champions of Turkmenistan, FK Arkadag, have arrived in Cambodia to prepare for the May 10 AFC Challenge League final Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC. More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold for match, which will take place at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
The Arkadag squad and their coach Dovletmyrat Annayev, landed at Phnom Penh International Airport around noon on Wednesday, May 7, marking the first time a Central Asian club has travelled to Cambodia. They have been the strongest club in their home country for the past two years.
Based in their namesake city of Arkadag, the club was established by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the former president of Turkmenistan (2006–2022), in 2023.
Due to Berdimuhamedow’s immense influence — he was the second president of Turkmenistan and his son Serdar Berdimuhamedow is now the country’s third — Arkadag has become a powerful and influential club. The best players in Turkmenistan have joined, making it comparable to the national side in terms of quality.
The team has dominated the Yokary Liga championship (the national league) in both seasons it has competed and has maintained a perfect winning record. In their first season, they claimed the title with a goal difference of 83-17. They have also claimed every major domestic trophy organised by the Turkmenistan Football Federation (TFF).
Established by former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in 2023, the club have yet to lose a national competition game. FK Arkadag
In the current Yokary Liga season, FK Arkadag has won all five of its matches and temporarily sits in third place, behind Ahal (7 matches played) and Altyn Asyr (8 matches played).
The concentration of top talent in a single club has drawn criticism from fans and clubs across the country. Many believe that Arkadag’s dominance has reduced the competitiveness and excitement of the league over the past two seasons.
They are especially eager to defeat Svay Rieng and bring the AFC Challenge League club trophy back to Turkmenistan — not only for glory but also to win back the hearts of fans at home in their first-ever international tournament appearance.
Meanwhile, Svay Rieng head coach Pep Munoz has declared that he wants the May 10 final to be a “football festival for the Cambodian people”. His ambition has fuelled the enthusiasm of Cambodian fans and driving a massive wave of ticket sales.
“We’re thrilled to announce that all 53,000 tickets have been sold out! Thank you deeply for supporting this historic event,” the club announced on Wednesday morning.
This confirms that the upcoming final will be one of the most highly attended matches in Cambodian football history. This overwhelming support will surely boost Svay Rieng’s morale as they pursue the Kingdom’s first-ever AFC Challenge League title.
