Turkmenistan prepares for crucial match against Thailand in 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
The Turkmenistan national football team is actively preparing for the second round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. On June 10, at their home stadium in Ashgabat, the team under head coach Rovshen Meredov will face one of Group D’s favorites — Thailand.

An experienced coach with an international background
Rovshen Meredov is more than just a head coach. He is recognized as a specialist with international credibility. In the early 2000s, he interned at Arsenal FC in London, where he had the opportunity to work with the legendary Arsène Wenger. This experience shaped his coaching philosophy — with an emphasis on tactics, physical conditioning, and ball control.
"We understand the importance of the upcoming match. We have a plan, motivation, and most importantly — the support of our fans. We respect our opponent but are ready to impose our game" said Meredov at the pre-match press conference.
Group D situation: Equal start
After the first round, Group D standings are as follows:
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Thailand: 3 points (1–0 win over Sri Lanka)
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Turkmenistan: 3 points (2–1 win over Chinese Taipei)
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Chinese Taipei: 0 points
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Sri Lanka: 0 points
Thus, the upcoming Turkmenistan–Thailand match could determine the sole group leader and a potential finalist of the Asian Cup.
Match details
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Date: June 10, 2025
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Venue: Ashgabat Stadium
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Broadcast: Turkmen state TV, AFC platform, YouTube
High attendance is expected — for Turkmen fans, this match is a key step in the fight for a long-awaited continental tournament ticket.
About the 2027 AFC Asian Cup
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The final tournament will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
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24 top national teams from across Asia will compete.
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The qualification stage includes 36 teams divided into 9 groups.
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Only the group winners will receive direct qualification.
Follow all the latest updates, analysis, and results of the qualifiers on our website — we promptly cover everything important about Team Turkmenistan’s journey.