FK Arkadag, East Bengal’s upcoming opponents in the AFC Challenge League quarter-finals, landed in Kolkata when Bengaluru FC crushed the Red-and-Yellow Brigade’s hopes of a top-six finish in the ISL on Sunday. The Turkmenistan club arrived two days before the game to acclimatise to the humid conditions in the City of Joy.
Considering the stark contrast in temperatures—their home country currently experiences daytime temperatures around 8°C, dropping to nearly 1°C at night- as per reports, FK Arkadag also conducted a 12-day training camp in Dubai to adapt to Kolkata’s weather conditions.
After arriving on Sunday, they wasted no time, hitting the training ground on Monday to fine-tune their preparations. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the high level of security surrounding their session. The Turkmenistan side trained at the Salt Lake Training Ground behind closed doors, barring reporters and media crews from accessing the facility.
Additionally, Arkadag hold a significant advantage going into the tie, as they will host the second leg at home and also enjoyed ample preparations time ahead of the clash. In contrast, East Bengal, having played against Bengaluru on March 2, will get only a single training session before stepping onto the pitch against the Central Asian giants.
With little match footage and scarce information available on FK Arkadag, let’s take a closer look at what East Bengal’s formidable opponents bring to the table.
The Rise of FK Arkadag
FK Arkadag were established on April 1, 2023, following the vision of former Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Known as ‘Arkadag’—which translates to ‘Protector Hero’—Berdimuhamedow led the nation from 2006 to 2022 before passing power to his son. One of his final wishes before stepping down was to establish a city named after him, and as part of that legacy, FK Arkadag was born.
A Dominant Force in Domestic Football
In their debut season, FK Arkadag stormed through Turkmenistan’s first division, winning every match and securing 72 points. Their stellar performances earned them promotion to the top-tier Yokary League, where they continued their dominance.
Between 2023 and 2024, Arkadag secured back-to-back league titles, stamping their authority on Turkmenistan’s football scene. Their relentless winning mentality has made them an unstoppable force in their domestic circuit.
An Incredible Winning Streak
Arkadag’s AFC Challenge League campaign has been equally remarkable. They overcame clubs like Maziya and AbdyshAta Kant, extending their unbeaten streak across all competitions to a staggering 61 matches. However, their dream of surpassing Celtic’s 62-game unbeaten run was dashed when they suffered their first loss against Kuwait’s Al-Sharabi in the final group-stage fixture.
Despite this setback, Arkadag’s achievements remain unparalleled. However, FIFA has yet to officially recognise their streak due to governance concerns surrounding Turkmenistan’s football administration.
A National Team in Club Colors
FK Arkadag’s squad is essentially the Turkmenistan national team in disguise. Nearly 90% of their players are full internationals, thanks to a special transfer window expansion that allowed the club to sign top talents during its formation. Unlike most teams, Arkadag operates without foreign players. However, they do have two key figures with overseas citizenship—Arslanmurad Amanov and Ilya Tamurkin—who play pivotal roles in their attack.
Key Player to Watch: Didar Durdyyev
One of Arkadag’s biggest weapons is centre-forward Didar Durdyyev. The prolific striker has claimed back-to-back Golden Boot awards, netting 27 goals in 2023 and an impressive 31 goals in 2024. His goal-scoring prowess makes him a major threat to East Bengal’s defense.
Challenges for East Bengal
While Arkadag enters the tie as a formidable opponent, East Bengal face their own set of challenges. Key defender Anwar Ali is sidelined after sustaining an injury against Bengaluru, while concerns remain over Nanda Kumar Sekar’s availability. With a well-drilled squad and an unbeaten streak that speaks volumes about their quality, FK Arkadag presents a daunting challenge.
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