II Caspian Cup

As it was reported, second International Youth U17 Tournament Caspian Cup will be arranged in Baku between 30 May and 4 June. Timetable of the tournament:
 
Group A
Azerbaijan
Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan
Turkmenistan
 
Group B
Japan
Turkey
Georgia
Uzbekistan
 
30 may
11:00. Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan. AZAL Arena
11:00. Turkey – Georgia. «Dalga Arena»
16:30. Opening ceremony. «Dalga Arena»
17:00. Azerbaijan – Turkmenistan. «Dalga Arena»
19:30. Japan – Uzbekistan. «Dalga Arena»
 
31 may
11:00. Uzbekistan – Turkey. AZAL Arena
11:00. Japan – Georgia. «Dalga Arena»
17:00. Turkmenistan – Kyrgyzstan. «Dalga Arena»
19:30. Kazakhstan – Azerbaijan. «Dalga Arena»
 
2 June
11:00. Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan. AZAL Arena
11:00. Georgia – Uzbekistan. «Dalga Arena»
17:00. Japan – Turkey. «Dalga Arena»
19:30. Azerbaijan – Kyrgyzstan. «Dalga Arena»
 
4 June
11:00. 7th place match. AZAL Arena
11:00. 5th place match. «Dalga Arena»
17:00. 3rd place match. «Dalga Arena»
19:30. Final
21:15. Closing ceremony


source: http://www.today.az/news/sports/105863.html

2012 AFC President's Cup - Group Stage

Group C:
5 May: Balkan - Markaz Shabab Al-Amari (Palestine)
7 May: Istiqlol (Tajikistan) - Markaz Shabab Al-Amari
9 May: Istiqlol - Balkan
*Ratnam (Sri-Lanka) withdrew

Matches played in Tajikistan. The top two teams qualify for final stage. 

4th round - yokary liga 2012

24 april:
Balkan 0-1 Merw
goal: Bagtyyar Hojaahmedow 75'
HTTU 0-0 Ashgabat
25 april:
ahal 0-0 altyn asyr
talyp sporty 0-3 shagadam
goals: Boliyan 2', 49', Dowlet Babayew 78'
lebap - bye

3rd round - yokary liga 2012

April 20:
Merw 2-1 Talyp Sporty
(Parahat Meredov 32', Umitjan Astanov 49' - Tagandurdy Arabov 67')
Ashgabat 0-3 Balkan
(Guvanchmuhammet Ovekov 9', 68' (pen), Gahrymanberdi Chonkayev 52')


April 21:
Altyn Asyr 2-0 Lebap
(Guwanch Hangeldiyev 66', 89' )
Ahal 2-2 Shagadam
(Didar Urazow 10', Wladimir Bayramow 41' - Boris Ivanov 88', Aleksandr Boliyan 90+2')
HTTU - bye

Transfers

previous coach of Balkan Aleksandr Klimenko went to Navbahor Namangan (Uzbekistan) as coach assistant.
New coach of Balkan is Amanmurad Meredov.

Midfielder of Balkan Amir Gurbani went to FC Buhoro Uzbekistan.

2nd round - yokary liga 2012

April 14:
Talyp Sporty 1-0 Ashgabat
(Rahman Mammedov 45+1')
HTTU 0-0 Balkan
April 15:
Ahal 0-2 Merw
(Parahat Meredov 62', Yusup Orazmammedov 66')
Lebap 2-1 Shagadam
(Vitaliy Alikperov 22' (pen), Zakirjan Hasanov 69' - Aleksandr Boliyan 73')
Altyn Asyr - bye

1st round - yokary liga 2012

10th april,
httu 2-0 talyp sporty
(arslan amanov7', hemra amanmammedov 16' pen)
merv 0-0 lebap
ahal 4-3 ashgabat
(Didar Hajiyev 15', Nazar Bayramov 44', Didar Urazov 45+2, Serdar Geldiyev 77' - Ruslan Kurbanov 25', Dovran Orazaliyev 28', Suleyman Muhadov 65')
11th april:
altyn asyr 1-0 shagadam
(Arif Mirzoyev 87')
Balkan - bye

overall preview to yokary liga 2012

1. Balkan Balkanabat (sponsor: "turkmenoil"  state company)
2. Ashgabat (sponsor Ashgabat city municipality)
3. Merw Mary city (sponsor: mary city municipalty or maybe turkmengas state company not sure)
4. HTTU (sponsors: international turkmen turkish university and some turkish firms not officially)
5. Altyn Asyr Ashgabat ( sponsor: altynasyr GSM Operator)
6. Shagadam Turkmenbashy city (sponsor: turkmenbashy oil refinery)
7. Ahal (sponsor: ahal province municipality)
8. Lebap (sponsor: lebap province municipality)
9. Talyp Sporty (sponsor: sport and tourism institute, all players of this team are students of that institute.)

views:
strong favourite teams are: balkan, httu and ashgabat.
talyp sporty is the weakest. others teams are middle and can be annoying to strong teams.
last 2011 year table:
1. Balkan
2. HTTU
3. Ashgabat
4. Merw
5. Shagadam
6. Altyn Asyr
7. Lebap
8. Ahal
9. Gara Altyn
10. Dashoguz

2011 cup:
champions: HTTU
finalist: Ashgabat
semifinalists: Merw, Lebap

2011 Supercup: Balkan 4-2 Altyn Asyr
2012 Supercup: Balkan 2-1 HTTU

Balkan 2-1 HTTU (SuperCup 2012)

goals: 10' Gahrymanberdi Chonkayev, 95' Nugylych Diwanov - 89' Berdi Shamyradov

on 95' Nursahet Sapargylyjov (Balkan) missed penalty.


Balkan starting players:
1.Bababerdiyew Rejep (goalkeeper); 2.Annamyradow Yagmyrmyrat; 4.Saparow Mekan; 15.Hamrayew Myrat; 3.Ekezow Yakup; 6.Batyrow Gurbangeldi; 8.Tkacenko Yewgeniy; 18.Sapargylyjow Nursahet; 20.Gurbani Amir; 10.Owekow Guwancmuhammet (captain); 7.Conkayew Gahrymanberdi.
substitutions:
16.Gorbunow Nikita (derwezeban); 5.Garahanow Geldimyrat; 13.Zemskow Yewgeniy; 14.Babajanow Zafar; 9.Diwanow Nurgylyc; 21.Ylyasow Asyrgeldi; 11.Karadanow Mammedaly.


HTTU starting players:
1.Rahmanberdi Alyhanow (goalkeeper, captain); 2.Hemayat Komekow; 4.Begli Annageldiyew; 5.Mihail Muhammedow; 10.Hemra Amanmammedow; 14.Guwanc Rejepow;  17.Arslanmyrat Amanow; 18.Sohrat Soyunow;21.Guwanc Abylow; 22.Azat Garajayew;


substitutions:
3.Gocguly Gocgulyyew; 7.Berdi Samyradow; 8.Perhat Podarow; 9.Serdar Paltayew; 15.Muhammed Astanow; 20.Kuwwat Tanayew; 25.Mammet Orazmuhammedow.

9 teams in Yokary Liga 2012

Yokary Liga 2012 starts on 10th April.
HTTU, Ashgabat, Altyn Asyr, Talyp Sporty - all from Ashgabat city.
Balkan - from Balkanabat city, Balkan province.
Shagadam - from Turkmenbashy city, Balkan province.
Merw - from Mary city, Mary province.
Lebap - from Turkmenabat city, Lebap province.
Ahal - from Abadan city, Ahal province.


total 32 rounds, 2 cycle, that is each team plays 4 times with each other teams.


1st round:
April 10:
HTTU - Talyp Sporty
Merw - Lebap
Ahal - Ashgabat
April 11:
Altyn Asyr - Shagadam
Balkan - bye



2nd round:
April 14:
Talyp Sporty - Ashgabat
HTTU - Balkan
April 15:
Ahal - Merw
Lebap - Shagadam
Altyn Asyr - bye

Turkmen SuperCup 2012

on 4th April.

Balkan  -  HTTU

Balkan is 2011 Yokary Liga champions.

HTTU is 2011 TurkmenCup champions.

2013 AFC U-22 Asian Cup qualification

The qualifiers will be held in centralised venue, which will be announced later. 

Group AIndia, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Turkmenistan, UAE.


the top two teams will qualify for the tournament proper along with the best third-placed team in all the groups. 


23 June: Iraq - Turkmenistan
25 June: UAE - Turkmenistan
28 June: Oman - Turkmenistan
30 June: Indiya - Turkmenistan
3 July: Lebanon - Turkmenistan 

Final: Turkmenistan 1-2 DPR Korea

Amanov aiming for atonement

Kathmandu: DPR Korea and Turkmenistan will lock horns on Monday for both the AFC Challenge Cup title and a place at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup but for one player, there is a third incentive.

The man in question is the reigning Turkmenistan Player of the Year Arslanmyrat Amanov (pictured) and victory in the final will exorcise the demons of his penalty miss that gave DPR Korea victory in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup final.

Goalkeeper Ju Kwang-min was North Korea's hero as the custodian crucially saved the sudden-death spot-kick from the then 19-year-old as the Chollima completed a spirited comeback after playing for just under an hour with ten men following Ryang Myong-il's first-half dismissal.

DPR Korea's promising start was halted after the defender was sent-off in the 32nd minute before Berdy Shamuradov struck for Turkmenistan less than a minute later. But with DPR Korea still managing to dominate, Turkmenistan's defence was finally breached with 14 minutes remaining as Ryang Yong-gi headed home.

And after extra-time failed to find a winner, Ri Kwang-hyok scored for DPR Korea after Mamedaly Karadanov and Ri Chol-myong had both missed their spot-kicks before Ju crucially denied Amanov.

Fast forward two years and the 21-year-old Amanov is back in the AFC Challenge Cup final having performed superbly during Turkmenistan's campaign in Kathmandu.

Amanov, who was also named Turkmenistan's best midfielder last season, was on target in the Central Asians' 3-1 win over the Maldives before putting on a virtuoso display as Turkmenistan finished top of Group A with a 3-0 win over hosts Nepal.

His fine form continued in the semi-final against the Philippines when he drew Turkmenistan level with a superbly struck low drive in the 79^th minute before Gahryman Chonkayev settled the contest with four minutes left to play as the Turkmen came from a goal down to book their place in Monday's final.

While Ammanov will be going all out to see Turkmenistan upset title favourites DPR Korea he is unlikely to get payback on his penalty shoot nemesis Ju Kwang-min.

Ju, who kept three clean sheets in the run up to his final heroics, has had to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench iwith DPR Korea coach Yun Jong-su preferring to start with Ri Myong-guk between the posts.

And the North Koreans' 2010 FIFA World Cup keeper has more than vindicated the decision have not conceded a goal in all four matches at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Turkmen target 2010 turnaround

Kathmandu: It has been little over two years since Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev witnessed DPR Korea defeat his side to lift the AFC Challenge Cup trophy in Sri Lanka and the 35-year-old is looking for a reversal of fortune as the meet again in the 2012 final.

Back in 2010 Turkmenistan looked to be in the driving seat at Sugathadasa Stadium after DPR Korea defender Ryang Myong-il was sent-off in the first half and Berdy Shamuradov took less than a minute to take advantage with a 33rd minute opener.

But after weathering DPR Korea's strong start with a physical defensive display, MVP Ryang Yong-gi eventually broke through with his fourth of the tournament with 14 minutes remaining to hand his side a deserved equaliser.

And after extra-time failed to separate the sides with the score deadlocked at 1-1 after 120 minutes, Turkmenistan's 2012 Challenge Cup star Arslanmyrat Amanov saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Ju Kwang-min in sudden death to hand DPR Korea a 5-4 win and a place at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

"We lost on penalties in the last Challenge Cup final so whether it is in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties we will fight hard to achieve victory," said a relaxed Hojageldiyev at Sunday's pre-final press conference.

"A lot has changed in two years, with our team and the DPR Korea team, but if I compare the two sides I can see that our opponents' style has changed.

"We have prepared well for this match and we will do everything we can to win."

Final : Turkmenistan - DPR Korea

Semifinals:
Turkmenistan 2-1 Philippines
DPR Korea 2-0 Palestine

Turkmenistan 2-1 Philippines (+video)

video: all goals:

 Goals: Arslan Amanov 80', Gahrymanberdi Chonkayev 86' - Philip Younghusband 25'

Arslan Amanov

Kathmandu: Turkmenistan will get another crack at AFC Challenge Cup glory after Gahryman Chonkayev's late winner gave the 2010 runners-up a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Philippines in the first of Friday's semi-finals at the Dashrath Stadium.

The Philippines took a 25^th minute lead when Phil Younghusband headed home his fourth of the campaign only for Turkmenistan Player of the Year Arslanmyrat Amanov to equalise in the 79^th minute before Chonkayev settled the contest with four minutes left to play.

The Azkals went into the match without the influential duo of James Younghusband and Angel Guirado, who was the standout player in the Philippines' superb come-from-behind win over Tajikistan, setting up Phil Younghusband for the equaliser before netting the late winner.

Paul Mulders moved into midfield to replace Guirado while Angel's brother Juan dropped into defence, with Jason Sabio absent with a knee injury.

Misagh Bahadoran came in for James Younghusband, the Azkals' captain in their their opening match against defending champions DPR Korea, with Jason de Jong was making his first appearance in the tournament.

A loss of concentration in the Turkmen defence allowed Phil Younghusband a shot on target but his eighth minute shot flashed just wide of Rahmanberdi Alyhanov's right post before the Central Asians advanced up field with Elman Tagayev drawing a fine save from Neil Etheridge.

In the 17^th minute Younghusband showed some nimble feet to charge past three Turkmen defenders only to see his shot blocked at the near post before the former Chelsea reserve acrobatically volleyed Guirado's long throw just wide eight minutes later.

But the goal the Philippines had been threatening came a minute later and it was no surprise that it came from Younghusband, with the 24-year-old heading home Mulders' cross for his tournament-leading fourth of the campaign.

Turkmenistan pressed for the equaliser with Gahryman Chonkayev rattling the underside of the bar before Amanov tested Etheridge with a shot from distance as the game reached the half-hour mark.

Three minutes later Alyhanov had to be alert to block a shot from Philippines' skipper Emelio Caligdong before the Turkmenistan captain comfortably stopped a long-range free-kick from Younghusband.

The Turkmen had a glorious chance to level when Chonkayev's cutback across the face of goal gave Amanov open target but a rare error from the Turkmenistan Player of the Year saw him scuff his 41^stminute shot and just a minute later Etheridge stood tall to block Chonkayev from close range.

Turkmenistan did have the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time but Guvanch Rejepov was offside when he headed home Amanov's dangerous free-kick.

Six minutes into the second-half Ruslan Mingazov shot high and wide after being sent clear by Umidjan Astanov, who was booked a minute earlier for a wild lunge at diminutive winger Caligdong, before Etheridge safely gathered Serdar Annaorazov's effort from distance as Turkmenistan battled to get back into the semi-final.

A mistake from Guirado gave Turkmenistan 63^rd minute free-kick which came to nothing before a stray pass in the Turkmen defence allowed the speedy Caligdong to intercept possession before Annaorazov but his pass across goal was fired wide by Younghusband.

The Philippines again came close when substitute Lexton Moy's 74^th minute drive following some good build-up play from Ray Jonsson and Mulders and the Azkals' failure to extend their advantage was punished five minutes later when Ammanov equalised with a superb low drive.

Things got worse the Philippines when Guvanch Abylov robbed fellow substitute Roel Gener and set up Chonkayev who scored the winner with four minutes left to play.

The Philippines disappointment was compounded in stoppage-time when keeper Etheridge was red carded for an off the ball incident involving goal scorer Chonkayev.



Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev said a much-improved second-half performance was the key to his side's 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Philippines which took the last AFC Challenge Cup runners-up through to the final of the 2012 edition of the tournament.
Both sides had their chances in the opening period of an entertaining and hard-fought semi-final at the Dashrath Stadium but it was the Philippines that took the lead in the 25^thminute when James Younghusband scored his fourth of the campaign, giving the Azkals the advantage that on the balance of play they probably deserved.


But Turkmenistan came out much stronger in the second-half and capitalised on two mistake in the Philippiines' defence as Turkmenistan Player of the Year Arslanmyrat Amanov (pictured) equalised in the 79^th minute before Gahryman Chonkayev settled the contest with four minutes left to play.
"After the first half I just told my players that they must play better, that they must be stronger and not lose concentration," Hojageldiyev said at the post-match press conference when asked if he had any special instructions for his team during the interval.


"This was a difficult game against. The Philippines have players that play in many different countries and have a lot of experience so this was a very good victory for us."
Turkmenistan will face the winners of the later semi-final which features defending champions DPR Korea against Palestine, with Hojageldiyev not thinking about a rematch of the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup final with the North Koreans
"I am not worried about who we play I am very happy that we have reached the final. Our preparations start right from this minute."

Amanov wary of 'hungry' Azkals

Kathmandu: Turkmenistan star Arslanmyrat Amanov has dispelled any notions that the Philippines will go into Friday's semi-final as the underdogs citing the Azkals impressive win over Central Asian neighbours Tajikistan.

 Amanov, who put in a virtuoso display as Turkmenistan finished top of Group A with a 3-0 win over hosts Nepal, watched from the stands as the Philippines came from a goal down to defeat the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup winners 2-1 to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in their history and the 21-year-old's assessment was that the best team won on the day

"I think the Philippines played much better than Tajikistan," Amanov told www.the-afc.com.

"You could see from the first minute that their players were hungrier. They wanted it more."

Amanov admitted that the Philippines' player that impressed him the most was Phil Younghusband, the tournament's joint leading scorer with three goals, while the performances of Phil's older brother James and match-winner Angel Guirado also caught the eye.

The latter two are suspended for Friday's final-four fixture and while Amanov thinks that the duo's absence is a bonus for his side, he stresses it is not a major factor in the way the Turkmen will approach the match.

"The Philippines number 10 (P. Younghusband) is a good player as are numbers 7 (J. Younghusband) and 12 (Guirado) so for us it is a plus that they cannot play," said the HTTU star, who was also crowned Turkmenistan's best midfielder last year.

"But we prepare to play teams and don't focus on one or two players. If you think about individuals and not the strategy to play against the team then you are not concentrating 100% and this could be costly."

Amanov is also not letting his attention stray to a possible final with DPR Korea and the chance to avenge Turkmenistan's penalty shootout defeat to the Chollima in the final of the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup.

"We are not thinking about playing DPR Korea or playing Palestine," he said.

"We are only thinking about winning our semi-final against the Philippines and then we will start preparations for the final.

"For me, both teams are strong, maybe stronger than us, but it is not important who we face in the final. We are here to win the Challenge Cup and will be ready for anyone."

Turkmen target Asian Cup ticket

Kathmandu: Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev reiterated the importance of a place at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup that victory in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will bring as he prepares his side for Friday's semi-final with the Philippines.

 Turkmenistan, who missed a place at the last AFC Asian Cup after losing in the final of 2010 Challenge Cup to DPR Korea, advanced to the last four by topping Group A courtesy of 2-0 victories over hosts Nepal and a goalless draw with fellow semi-finalists Palestine.

And now Hojageldiyev (pictured) is targeting a victory over the tournament's surprise package as they continue their quest for AFC Challenge Cup glory and a coveted berth in the continent's premier competition.

"We respect the Philippines and are ready to play any team," he said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"Winning this tournament will also get us a ticket for the Asian Cup and we are playing to win."

Standing in their way is a Philippines side brimming with confidence having reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history and having already accounted for Tajikistan, Azkals head coach Michael Weiss feels his side are well prepared to deal with their Central Asian neighbours.

"Turkmenistan is similar to the 'Russian style' like Tajikistan and the match against Tajikistan was ideal preparation for tomorrow's game," Weiss said in reference to their impressive 2-1 win over the 2008 Challenge Cup champions in their final Group B fixture.

"We have had some intense group stage matches while Turkmenistan's has been relatively easier against the likes of the Maldives and Nepal.

"The first game we played was against the tournament favourites and it was only 2-0 and in the next match we defeated India 2-0 even though our performance was not at a level we expect. Our third match was much better than before and we defeated Tajikistan which nobody expected.

"We are very happy to be in the semi-finals and it is something that at the start of the tournament many people thought would not be possible."

semi-final: Turkmenistan - Philippines

AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Semi-final:
16 March:
Turkmenistan - Philippines
DPR Korea - Palestine