At a press conference held by the media forum “FC ‘Arkadag’ – The Pride and Future of Turkmen Football”, ahead of the historic match in Ashgabat, Robert Frantsev, a correspondent for the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, noted the successes of FC ‘Arkadag’ as important for Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC.

He emphasised that the club's rapid growth was the result of a state programme to develop sports infrastructure and promote a healthy lifestyle. The basis for this success is the material and technical base created for the 2017 Asian Games, which continues to be actively used for mass sports.

Frantsev noted that the match is important not only as a sporting event, but also as an opportunity to present the culture, hospitality and natural wealth of Turkmenistan to an international audience.

According to him, the game will give a powerful impetus to the younger generation, inspiring children across the country to take up sports and develop a will to win.