Elvira Kadyrova, Ravilya Kadyrova, and Tamir Shakirov
On 11 February 2026, the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium hosted the first match of a historic showdown in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League 2, featuring the stars of Turkmen football, “Arkadag,” and the Saudi club “Al-Nassr.”
The stands of the Olympic Stadium were filled to capacity with 45,000 spectators. The festive atmosphere of a major football event was tinged with tension as one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most decorated clubs, Al-Nassr, arrived to face the champion of Turkmenistan.
The fate of the match was decided by a single episode. In the 19th minute of the first half, Al-Nassr forward Abdullah Al-Hamddan (#9) took advantage of a lapse in the hosts’ defense and sent the ball into the net. However, those expecting a “goal fest” from the Saudis following the opener were disappointed: Arkadag recalibrated quickly. For the remainder of the match, the Turkmen club effectively neutralized all attempts by the star-studded guests to extend their lead.
Despite the defeat, Arkadag proved capable of competing on equal footing with the titans of Asian football.
Representatives of Al-Nassr left the pitch with visible respect for their opponent. At the post-match press conference, the Saudi head coach, Jorge Jesus, concisely described the game as “wonderful,” noting that the match turned out well for his team.
Goalkeeper Bento Matheus Krepski added: “It was a very good and tough game. The most important thing is that we won, but Arkadag is a very strong opponent,” the goalkeeper emphasized.
This match served as a rigorous test for Arkadag. Speaking after the final whistle, head coach Mergen Orazov admitted that his squad had to overcome not only a formidable opponent but also their own pre-match nerves during the opening stages.
“At the beginning, there was a bit of psychological pressure, which meant not everything we had worked on was successful. In the second half, that feeling faded, and it became easier,” Orazov noted.
The coach also candidly addressed the officiating, which raised many questions among fans: “We were immediately penalized with yellow cards during tactical attacks, while the opponents almost constantly disrupted our counter-attacks without receiving any yellow cards. We are dissatisfied with this aspect.”
The gap in experience was undeniable: Al-Nassr, a member of the Saudi Pro League founded in 1955, is a veteran of top-tier tournaments, whereas Arkadag is just beginning its journey at this level. Nevertheless, FC Arkadag remains determined and, as seen in the match, displayed significant character and fighting spirit.
“The players and I have already discussed all our mistakes; we’ve reflected on our tactics, our attacks, and our defense. We have analyzed our game and will try to fix everything. In the return match, we will strive to play at a different level,” Mergen Orazov concluded.
The first round went to Saudi Arabia, but Arkadag’s selfless performance, backed by the support of thousands in the stands, keeps the intrigue alive. The return leg in the KSA will reveal whether the Turkmen champion can convert this experience into a successful result. ///nCa, 12 February 2026
Here are some moments from the match:
