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Turkmenistan Football Association founded in 1992 and affiliated to FIFA in 1994, has always been tough opponents for any side. They played their first World Cup qualifiers in 1998, where they managed to outplay Vietnam to finish third in their group. In 2002, they finished second behind neighbours Uzbekistan defeating the likes of Jordan and Chinese Taipei.
Four years later, Turkmenistan managed to finish a respectable second behind mighty Saudi Arabia in the World Cup qualification. The campaign also brought out the best in their striker Kuliev Begench who finished only behind Iranian Ali Daei in the goal-scoring chart.
At the Asian Cup 2004, Turkmenistan showed their mettle holding mighty Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw. The team was also among the very few left who has a local coach at helm, Rahim Kurbanmamedov.
Despite the potential and being labeled as a hard working team, Turkmenistan has yet to achieve any major success at international level. However with tremendous passion in the game in the country and a domestic league of ten teams, Turkmenistan football is destined for better times.
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