The football player of the Navbahor youth club, Zulfakar Ali, received an invitation to the youth national team of Turkmenistan U-20. This is reported by the press service of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan (FFT).

Zulfakar Ali joined the Uzbek Navbahor squad in the winter of 2024. Last season, the player played for the reserve team of the Ashgabat Kopetdag.

The youth national team of Turkmenistan (U-20) will take part in the championship of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) in preparation for the qualifying tournament of the Asian Cup 2025.

The CAFA-2024 Championship will be held from July 5 to 12 in Jalalabad (Kyrgyzstan). The tournament will be attended by six teams divided into two groups. The national team of Turkmenistan got into group "B", where it will play with the teams of Iran and Uzbekistan. The youth national teams of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan will perform in Group A.

The tournament format provides for a round-robin group stage, after which the group winners will compete in the final. The second-place teams will compete for bronze medals. There will also be a match for 5-6 places.

The coaching staff of the youth national team, led by Dovletmurad Annaev, invited 23 players to participate in the international tournament:

Goalkeepers: Ashyrov Seyran (Akhal), Davatov Davut (Ashgabat), Gulov Ismail (Energetik);

Field players:

Annaev Enver, Berdyev Hangeldy, Sarkisyan Eduard, Papyev Makhtumkuli, Nepesov Orazmurad (all – "Arkadag"),

Aghajumaev Begench, Amangeldiyev Ibraim, Annamuradov Islam, Bekmuradov Beglimuhamed, Esenov Gurbanmuhamed, Gayipnazarov Medet, Garajaev Gurbangeldy, Govshudov Yakubmuhamed, Ilmuradov Maksat, Mukhamedov Mekan (all – "Ahal"),

Berenov Makhtymberdy ("Nebitchi")

Garayev Gurbanguly ("Shagadam")

Ismail Kambarov ("Altyn asyr")

Orazov Khajimuhamed (Kopetdag)

Zulfakar Ali (Navbahor, Uzbekistan)

The participation of the Turkmen national team in this tournament is considered as preparation for the qualifying round of the 2025 Asian Cup among youth teams.

The qualification tournament will be held from September 21 to 29 in Bishkek. The opponents of the Turkmenistan national team in group I are the teams of Japan, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar.