«AHAL» COMPLETES PREPARATIONS FOR THE ZONAL FINAL OF THE AFC CUP-2021

Two test matches with the youth national team of Turkmenistan (under 23) were played by Ahal players in preparation for the zonal final of the AFC-2021 Cup with Uzbek Nasaf, which will take place on August 25 on the opponent's field in Karshi.

In the first meeting with the «youth team», the team of the Main Directorate of «Turkmennebitonumleri» won - 3:1, and in the second they drew - 2:2.

«Ahal» this year for the first time reached the final of the Central zone of the AFC Cup. The vice-champion of Turkmenistan achieved this success by winning the qualifying tournament in group «E» in Bishkek, during which victories were won over the winner of the Cup of Tajikistan «Ravshan» from Kulyab - 3:1 and the 12-time champion of Kyrgyzstan «Dordoi» - 2:0.

The rival of «Ahal» in the zonal final of the AFC Cup-2021 was determined in Dushanbe following the results of another qualifying tournament in group «F», in which the vice-champion of Uzbekistan «Nasaf» prevailed, defeating the Kyrgyz «Alai» - 4:0, Tajik «Khujand» - 3:0 and Turkmen «Altyn Asyr» - 2:0.

Football club «Nasaf» was founded in 1986 in Karshi. The team is one of the most popular and titled in Uzbekistan (along with Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor). Nasaf is the winner of the 2015 Uzbekistan Cup, the 2016 Uzbekistan Super Cup, the only Uzbek club that won the 2011 AFC Cup. Nasaf is also a two-time winner of the AFC Fair Play prize.

The teams «Ahal» and «Nasaf» have not met each other before.

It was originally planned that the teams in the Central Zone Final of the AFC Cup 2021 will play two matches - on 11 and 25 August at home and away. However, later, the Asian Football Confederation of Football decided to hold one game in Karshi, the winner of which will play in the interzonal final of the AFC Cup-2021.

The AFC Cup is the second most important club tournament in Asia. The winner of this trophy will be announced on November 26, 2021.

«GA» Correspondent

«Ahal» completes preparations for the zonal final of the AFC Cup-2021 (turkmenistan.gov.tm)