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Former USA and Bahrain Coach Appointed Head of Thailand’s National Football Team – Turkmenistan’s Group Rival
British coach Anthony Hudson, who previously managed the national teams of the USA, New Zealand, and Bahrain, has been appointed as the new head coach of Thailand’s national football team. The announcement was made by the Football Association of Thailand.
Hudson’s appointment came two days after the resignation of Japanese coach Masatada Ishii. Before taking the new position, the 58-year-old served as Thailand’s Technical Director.
At the international level, Hudson led New Zealand’s national team from 2014 to 2017, winning the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. He coached Bahrain in 2013–2014 and served as interim head coach of the USA in 2023. His club experience includes managing Thailand’s BG Pathum United as well as Qatar’s Al-Arabi and Al-Markhiya.
“I have a deep passion for Thailand’s national team and this country. My dream is to lead Thailand to the final of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup,” Hudson said during his introduction ceremony.
The new coach also expressed confidence that Thailand can qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. “I believe this team can reach the knockout stage. We just need to be more competitive,” he stated.
Hudson emphasized that he does not plan to radically change the squad. “My coaching style differs from Ishii’s, but it would be foolish to discard his achievements. I’ll build on them step by step,” he explained.
In June of this year, Turkmenistan’s national team defeated Thailand 3–1 in Ashgabat during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The goals were scored by Mikhail Titov, Ikhlas Saparmammedov, and Mekan Saparov.
The next match between Turkmenistan and Thailand will take place in March 2026 and may decide which team qualifies for the Asian Cup. After four rounds, both teams have 9 points and share the top spot in Group D. Sri Lanka sits third, three points behind, while Chinese Taipei remains last with no points.
The final stage of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, featuring the 24 strongest national teams of the continent.
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One of the major sporting events in Turkmenistan, the Turkmenistan Tennis Cup, was held at the multifunctional sports complex of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports. The tournament brought together 72 athletes from across Turkmenistan, including Ahal, Dashoguz, Lebap, Mary regions, and the city of Ashgabat. Among them were 47 male and 25 female players.
The competition was jointly organized by the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of Turkmenistan and the Tennis Federation of Turkmenistan and was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality. The event was reported by the “Altyn Asyr” electronic newspaper.
The men’s singles final featured an intense match between national team coach of Turkmenistan, 30-year-old Yuriy Rogusskiy, and his trainee Allanur Dayanjov. The match lasted over three hours and was decided only in extra play. After exchanging set victories, Allanur Dayanjov secured a dramatic win in the final set, earning his first-ever Turkmenistan Cup title.
The third-place match saw Meýlis Orazmuhammedov defeat Didar Wepamyradov, completing the list of medal winners. Orazmuhammedov is also known in Turkmenistan as a coach contributing to the development of tennis nationwide.
In the women’s competition, Aynur Movlamova, a 10th-grade student from Specialized Secondary School No. 27 in Ashgabat, claimed the Turkmenistan Cup for the first time. Her victory highlighted the strong potential of young female athletes in Turkmenistan.
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