Football Federation of Turkmenistan - last updated on 26 September 2007
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Association name: Football Federation of Turkmenistan
Foundation: 1992
Confederation The AFC
Colours: Yellow and black
Website: no website
Honours:
Football Federation of Turkmenistan has currently no honours.
A bit of history:
A football-loving tradition underpins the prospects of Turkmenistan, a former Soviet Republic struggling to develop after being labelled a second-tier side in Asia. Since joining FIFA in 1994 however, they have earned a reputation as a hard-working team willing to fight the good fight against any and all challengers.
In the run-up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan ™, the Central Asian side were drawn in Group 7 with favourites Uzbekistan, Jordan and Chinese Taipei. They won all four contests with the latter two teams, but suffered home and away defeats against their powerful neighbours to defer their dreams of advancing to the further rounds of Asian Zone qualifying.
They proved themselves a promising team in the recent 2004 Asian Cup qualifiers. At home, they beat Italy 1990 finalists United Arab Emirates 1-0 in their opening group match and then held them away 1-1. Those sort of results are just the ticket if the Turkmen hope to go further in FIFA World Cup qualifying than the previous FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Turkmenistan easily went through to the initial group stage in Asia after they beat Afghanistan 13-0 on aggregate. But three-time Asian Champions Saudi Arabia proved too strong for the Central Asians who lost the two back-to-back meetings. The Saudi team became the first to advance to the qualifying finals with two matches remaining, leaving Turkmenistan bemoaning their squandered chances.
Footballing passion has been reignited in recent years with the domestic league faring well. However, it remains to be seen if Turkmenistan will be able to make an impact on the continental stage. Having failed to qualify for 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the team under coach Rakhim Kurbanmamedov will need to do their utmost to prove themselves again in their bidding for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Fortunately for their faithful fans, the team saw off Cambodia and Hong Kong in the opening stages of qualifying for South Africa 2010 to book their place in Asia's last twenty, where coach Kurbanmamedov is hoping his side can take a step further.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Football Federation of Turkmenistan
