One of the most important events of the ending week was the preliminary round of the AFC Cup-2023/24 in the Central Zone, which was held in the city of Mary at the overcrowded Sports Toplumy stadium, which seats 10,000 spectators.

 On its field, the team of the football club “Merv” of the State Concern “Turkmengas” defeated the strongest football team from Kyrgyzstan “Alay”.

 The game ended with the score 1:0.  At the 13th minute, Musa Nurnazarov scored the winning goal against the Kyrgyz Alai from the city of Osh.

 First of all, it is worth noting the unique atmosphere of unity of the fans, which was present at the stadium and helped Merv a lot in the game.  Among the spectators were not only residents of the regions of the Mary velayat, but also fans from all over the country.  Football players of the team of the State Concern “Turkmengas” played a great match and deserved a victory that will be remembered by the fans for a long time.

 We should especially note the game of Musa Nurnazarov, who scored a terrific goal, and the excellent goalkeeper of “Merv” Merdan Saparov, who adequately defended his goal.

 On August 22, at the stadium “20th Anniversary of Independence of Tajikistan” in Khujand, at the playoff stage of the AFC-2023/24 Cup, “Merv” will play with the bronze medalist of the championship of Tajikistan “Khujand”.

 In case of success, the players of the Merv team of the Turkmengas State Concern will get the right to play in the group stage of the tournament in the Central Zone along with the clubs Ravshan (Tajikistan), Altyn Asyr (Turkmenistan) and Abdysh-Ata (Kyrgyzstan).

 The group round of the 2023/24 AFC Cup in the Central Zone will begin on September 20 and end on December 14.  Only the winner of the group will advance to the next stage of the tournament.