The bronze medallists of the Turkmenistan Championships FC Merv won 2-1 Khujand from Tajikistan in extra time in an away playoff match of the 2023/24 AFC Cup. Murat Yakshiev (54th minute) and Murat Ovezmuradov (114th minute) scored the winning goals for Merv.

This victory enabled the football club from Mary to play at the group stage in the Central Asia Zone together with Ravshan (Tajikistan), Altyn Asyr (Turkmenistan) and Abdysh-Ata (Kyrgyzstan).

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