Amongst the participants, Central Asia\u2019s presence swells to four clubs for the first time since 2016, following a meagre few years which bottomed out at only one participant in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While in 2016, Uzbekistan were the sole nation represented, the sustained growth in the region\u2019s game, coupled with the AFC\u2019s promotion of leagues on the fringes of the tournament, sees Tajikistan, and for the first time in 20 years, Turkmenistan enter the group phase proper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The return of Turkmen football to Asia\u2019s premier club competition is a long overdue one. The nation has regularly competed in the latter stages of the AFC Cup, with current Yokary Liga champions Altyn Asyr having featured in the 2018 final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the rising standard being reflected with the national team, who qualified for the last Asian Cup and, but for North Korea\u2019s withdrawal could have made it to the latter stages of World Cup qualification<\/a>, representation at this level marks another significant step forward for Turkmen football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also offers an opportunity to draw back the curtain on what remains a broadly secretive football scene. Following some minor notoriety in continuing their domestic league through COVID in 2020<\/a>, information on how football is being run out of Ashgabat remains sparce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the increasingly brief statements that are released via their federation\u2019s online communication channels, and through state television addresses, the picture growingly becomes even more murky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reigning champions Altyn Asyr clinched their eighth title in eight years, a growing dynasty that was only formed over the last decade since the team was set up under the moniker of the telecommunications company that bears the same name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n