Head coach of the Turkmenistan national football team, Mergen Orazov, recently returned from Portugal, where he underwent an intensive internship. This trip opened new prospects for the development of Turkmen football and brought valuable experience.

Mergen Orazov's internship program was intensive and productive. The head coach of the Turkmenistan national team met with the technical director of the Portuguese Football Federation, José Couceiro, discussing the league structure and talent development methods. Additionally, there was a visit to the Portuguese Football Academy, which allowed him to familiarize himself with the advanced system of training top-level coaches.

The key moments of the internship were two meetings with the head coach of the Portuguese national team, Roberto Martinez. Mergen Orazov had a unique opportunity to observe match preparations and participate in detailed game analysis.

Portuguese Experience: What Can Be Applied in Turkmenistan

Mergen Orazov highlighted several aspects of Portuguese football that can be adapted in Turkmenistan. Among them is the player evaluation system on a five-point scale, which includes not only sports performance but also behavior. 'This is done discreetly. A player who scores fives in all criteria automatically gets on the candidate list if not injured,' explained the coach.

Orazov also noted the practice of involving young players in the national team for their development and the group approach to analytical work before matches. 'This allows for a detailed study of tactical moments,' he emphasized.

Plans for the Development of Turkmen Football

Based on the experience gained, Orazov plans to implement several changes in the preparation of the national team. 'In November, training camps and friendly matches in a closed format are planned to test new candidates,' said the coach. Special attention will be given to young players.

The immediate goal of the team is a successful performance in the qualifying tournament for the 2027 Asian Cup. 'Our goal is to qualify for the Asian Championship,' stated Orazov.

Innovations in the Turkmenistan Football Federation

Parallel to the work on the national team, the Turkmenistan Football Federation is undergoing an active modernization process. The federation's charter is being updated, and a video archive of the Higher League and Turkmenistan Cup matches is being created. 'Clubs are provided with video clips of all games so they can study each other and prepare for matches,' noted Orazov.

The Federation plans to cooperate with international platforms to promote Turkmen players. 'This will help our players move to strong championships, which will also improve the level of our football,' explained the coach.

Long-term Development Strategy

The Federation is developing a comprehensive system for training players, starting from academies to the professional level. A three-tier system is planned: Higher League, Reserve League, and First League.

'The idea is to guide a player from the academy until the age of 17, and then he will have three options: go directly to the Higher League if he is talented and physically ready, play in the Reserve League, or in the First League,' said Mergen Orazov.

The possibility of inviting Portuguese instructors to train Turkmen coaches is also being considered.

Meeting with Roberto Martinez: Impressions and Prospects

Orazov was impressed by the openness and willingness to share experiences demonstrated by Roberto Martinez. 'No secrets, no barriers – everyone is ready to share and help,' noted the Turkmen coach.

The possibility of signing a memorandum of cooperation between the federations of Turkmenistan and Portugal was discussed. Notably, Portuguese specialists highly appreciated the potential of Turkmen football, especially noting the youth team's game against Wales (2:2).

Mergen Orazov's internship in Portugal opened new prospects for Turkmen football. The introduction of advanced practices, modernization of the player and coach training system, and possible international cooperation – all this gives grounds to hope for a qualitative leap in the development of football in Turkmenistan in the coming years.