The Turkmenistan national football team held the first friendly match during the current training sessions in the United Arab Emirates. The Turkmenistan team played with the champions of Malaysia – Johor FC. 9 debutants appeared on the field to defend the colours of the national team for the first time – Movlamberdy Goshshanov, Mekan Ashirov, Nazar Tovakelov, Akmamed Metdaev, Meilis Diniev, Bayramgeldy Nurlyev, Ata Geldyev and Oraz Ataev. One of them plays for Cultural Leonesa B in Spain; this is a defender Oraz Ataev. He shared his impressions with our readers after he had received an invitation to the national team.

- For about two years, I have been playing for Cultural Leonesa B – a Spanish football team based in Leon that performs in Third Division. I have been invited to the national team twice. I first played for the national team with the Qatar Olympic team in Doha.

This time, I was invited to the training sessions in the UAE. I accepted this invitation gladly. My role is the left and centre defender. The coaching staff trusts me and allows me to play in the core team. A Spanish coach Ramon Gonzalez Exposito teaches us to think on the field and be responsible for each episode. I understand this later on the field, it is easier to play after his lessons.

As for our national team, I will do my best for the team to achieve success. Thanks to the unceasing concern of the esteemed President of Turkmenistan, great attention is paid to sport in our homeland. All favourable conditions for playing football were created. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the esteemed President for his concern for sportsmen.