FK Arkadag
Football club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FK Arkadag (Turkmen: Arkadag Futbol Kluby, Arkadag FK) is a professional football club based in Arkadag, Turkmenistan. Founded in 2023 by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the club plays in the Ýokary Liga. They became the national champions in the first season.
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| Full name | Arkadag Futbol Kluby | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The White Horse of Arkadag | |||
| Short name | AFK | |||
| Founded | 1 April 2023 | |||
| Ground | Arkadag Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 10,000[1] | |||
| Owner | Arkadag City Administration | |||
| President | Arslanmyrat Amanow | |||
| Head coach | Dovletmyrat Annayev | |||
| League | Ýokary Liga | |||
| 2024 | Ýokary Liga, 1st of 9 (champions)[2] | |||
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History
Summarize
Perspective
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Arkadag was formed in the run-up to the 2023 domestic season.[3] Many of the country's best players joined the club in a transfer window that was specially expanded.[3] Competing in the Turkmenistan top flight right from its foundation,[4][5][6][7] they have undergone criticism by rival fans for being favored by the authorities in the 2023 Ýokary Liga.[8][3] In November, Wladimir Baýramow became the new manager of FK Arkadag, receiving a one-year contract.[9] Also in this month the team logo with the image of an Akhal-Teke horse was presented.[10]
On 3 December, Arkadag clinched their first championship title in the Turkmenistan Higher League, by defeating Altyn Asyr 4–0. They won all 24 league matches.[11] The club had a total of 72 points with a goal difference of 83–17. Their and league top scorer was Didar Durdyev with 27 goals.[12][13] They also secured place in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two qualifiers.[14][15][16][17] On 24 December 2023, Wladimir Baýramow guided Arkadag to their second trophy, defeating Ahal FK 3–0 in Turkmenistan Cup final at the Arkadag Stadium.[18][19] For the team's successful performance in the 2023 season, the team was gifted a MAN bus.[20][21][22]
In June 2023, Arkadag was licensed to participate in the AFC Challenge League.[23] On 7 October 2024, defending champions Arkadag successfully retained their League title after a 5-1 victory over Nebitçi.[24] They got into the group with the Kuwait giants Al-Arabi SC and the reigning Maldives and Kyrgyz champions Maziya and Abdysh-Ata Kant.[25] Their first match was a 2–1 win against Maziya at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City.[26] On 29 October 2024, FK Arkadag recorded an upset over Abdysh-Ata Kant by winning 2–0.[27][28]
On 1 November 2024, the club suffered defeat against Al-Arabi to end a streak of 61 consecutive wins in official competitions (50 in the Ýokary Liga, 9 in the Turkmenistan Cup, and 2 in the AFC Challenge League). Additionally, the club was only one match away from equaling the world record unbeaten streak of 62 matches, held by Celtic between 1915 and 1917. However, this streak is not recognized by the Guinness World Records due to concerns about the league's governance. The Guinness instead recognizes Al-Hilal's 34 game win streak from 2023–24.[29][30]
In 2025, Arkadag became the first teams to tentatively qualify for the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League group stage.
Stadiums
Arkadag's main home ground is the 10,000-capacity Arkadag Stadium.[31][32][33][34] Nusaý Stadium used to be the home ground of the club at some Ýokary Liga matches.[35]
Colours, kit and crest
Kit
FC Arkadag 's traditional home kit predominantly consists of green and white colours.[36] The second set of kit is completely green with white elements.[37]
Crest
The club crest has been a rampant Akhal-Teke horse against the backdrop of the Kopetdag mountains.[10][38] The logo uses white and blue colors.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Records
Domestic
| Season | League | Turkmenistan Cup | Top goalscorer | Manager | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div. | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GS | GA | P | Name | League | |||
| 2023 | 1st | 1st | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 17 | 72 | Winners |  Didar Durdyýew |
27 [41][42] | Guwançmuhammet Öwekow Begençmuhammet Kulyýew |
| 2024 | 1st | 1st | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 147 | 20 | 90 | Winners | Didar Durdyýew |
31[43] | Wladimir Baýramow |
Continental
- As of match played 16 April 2025
| Competition | Pld. | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Challenge League | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 |
| Season | Competition | Round | Nat | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | AFC Challenge League | Group B |  |
Maziya | 2–1 | 1st | |
 |
Abdysh-Ata Kant | 2–0 | |||||
 |
Al-Arabi | 2–3 | |||||
| Quarter-final |  |
East Bengal | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | ||
| Semi-final | |
Al-Arabi | 0–2 | 3–0 | 3–2 | ||
| Final |  |
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | |||||
Coaching history
| Name | Nationality | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Guwançmuhammet Öwekow[44] | |
2023 |
| Begençmuhammet Kulyýew[45] | |
2023 |
| Wladimir Baýramow[46] | |
2023–2025 |
| Didar Hajyýew | |
2024 (ACGL group stage) |
| Dovletmyrat Annayev | |
2025–present |
Top scorers
| Season | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023[47] | Didar Durdyýew (27) | Begmyrat Baýow (9) | Şanazar Tirkişow (7) |
| 2024[48] | Didar Durdyýew (31) | Altymyrat Annadurdyýew (24) | Begenç Akmämmedow (19) |
Honours
- Ýokary Liga
- Turkmenistan Cup
- Champions (2): 2023, 2024
- Turkmenistan Super Cup
- Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup
- Champions (1): 2025[51]
- AFC Challenge League
- TBD: 2024–25
References
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