Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Merw FK

Merw Mary
Full nameMerw Mary Bedenterbiýe-Sport Futbol Kluby
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
GroundMary Sport Toplumy
Capacity10,000
ChairmanGurbangeldi Orazow
ManagerRahym Kurbanmammedow
LeagueÝokary Liga
2023Ýokary Liga, 8th of 9

Physical culture and sports football club Merw Mary (Turkmen: Merw Mary Bedenterbiýe-Sport Futbol Kluby), also known as Merw Mary, is a professional football club based in Mary, Turkmenistan. They play in the national top division; the Ýokary Liga. Their home stadium is Mary Sport Toplumy.

Historical names

  • until 1966 – Lokomotiv Mary
  • 1967 – Murgab Mary
  • 1968–1989 – Garagum Mary (Kara-Kum Mary)
  • 1990-until now – Merw Mary

Current squad

As of 13 June 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Turkmenistan TKM Anton Maksimov
2 DF Turkmenistan TKM Shazada Bashimov
3 MF Turkmenistan TKM Shohrat Ovmadov
4 DF Turkmenistan TKM Ambyar Mahmudov
5 DF Turkmenistan TKM Rejep Rejepov
6 DF Turkmenistan TKM Azat Orazmuhammedov
7 FW Turkmenistan TKM Rustam Matrizaev
8 FW Turkmenistan TKM Yagshyhaset Dovletgeldiyev
9 DF Turkmenistan TKM Maksat Atagarryyev
10 MF Turkmenistan TKM Kemal Annamuhammedov
12 DF Turkmenistan TKM Doviet Dovietmyradov
13 MF Turkmenistan TKM Igor Sekov
14 MF Turkmenistan TKM Dayanch Durdyyev
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 GK Turkmenistan TKM Nurgeldy Astanov
17 MF Turkmenistan TKM Musa Nurnazarov
18 MF Turkmenistan TKM Babanyyaz Charyyev
19 MF Turkmenistan TKM Amangeldi Saparov
20 DF Turkmenistan TKM Begench Palvanov
21 MF Turkmenistan TKM Myrat Ovezmyradov
30 GK Turkmenistan TKM Merdan Saparov
77 FW Turkmenistan TKM Toyly Gocnazarow
90 FW Turkmenistan TKM Murad Yaksiyew

History

In 1967–1969 and 1990–1991, the team played in the Soviet Second League.

The first big success of Merw FK after the collapse of the USSR came when they reached the final of the Turkmenistan Cup in 1993. In the final, they lost to Köpetdag Aşgabat with a score of 0:4. A year later, the team were the bronze prize-winner of the 1994 Ýokary Liga and took part in the preliminary round of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup 1994/95 season. The next 10 years were not marked by significant progress, but in 2004 Merw FK became one of the strongest football clubs in Turkmenistan. Merw FK claimed the bronze medal for the second time in the 2004 Ýokary Liga and, in 2005, they won the Cup of Turkmenistan. Their opponents in the Turkmenistan Cup final was Köpetdag Aşgabat (the game finished 1–1 after extra time and Merw FK won 3–1 on penalties). In 2006, the team, for the second time, entered the international arena by taking part in the 2006 AFC Cup and lost to the teams Dempo SC (2:2, 1:6) and Al-Nasr (0:2, 1:4).[1][2]

Between 2007 and 2009, Merw FK played in the finals of the Turkmenistan Cup three times in a row. They lost to Şagadam FK in 2007 (0:1), won in 2008 by beating FC HTTU (2:1) and lost in 2009 to FC Altyn Asyr (0:3). In 2008, Merw FK won the Turkmenistan Super Cup by beating the champion of Turkmenistan FC Ashgabat. In 2009, for the third time in their history, Merw FK won the bronze medal in the 2009 Ýokary Liga.

In 2012, the club became the silver prize-winner of the 2012 Ýokary Liga for the first time in history.[3]

In the 2022 season, Magtymguly Begenjew as head coach led the team to the third place in Ýokary Liga,[4][5] securing a AFC Cup spot for the Merw FK after a 16-year[6] absence.

Honours

League and cup record

Season League Turkmenistan Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Div. Pos. P W D L F A Pts Name League goals
2015 1st 8th 36 11 9 16 39 50 42 Round of 16 Turkmenistan Rahmanguly Baýlyýew
2016 5th 36 17 6 13 42 36 57
2017 8th 32 10 3 19 34 61 33
2022 3th 28 14 4 10 44 39 46 Quarterfinals Alibek Abdyrahmanow 21[7] Turkmenistan Magtymguly Begenjew

Performance in AFC competitions

2006: Group Stage
2023–24: Group Stage
1994–95: Preliminary Round

Managers

Backroom Staff
Name Role
Rahym Kurbanmammedow Manager
Witaliy Alikperow Assistant Manager
Magtymguly Begenjew Fitness Trainer
Ovez Annamammedow Goalkeeping Trainer
Wladimir Caryyew Offensive Trainer
Dowlet Muhammetow Defensive Trainer
Mukam Durdyyew Medic

References