All in the family for the Muhadovs

Azat, the skipper of the Turkmenistan team for the pre-Olympic qualifiers, explains that it was because of his father that he took up the game in the first place. ‘‘Being a professional, my father toured a lot and I quite regularly accompanied him,’’ he informs. Rovshan is currently the head coach of the U-23 Olympic squad.

For Rovshan, a striker in his heyday, pro football was his life ever since he began playing the game as a 11-year-old. From being top-scorer in the erstwhile Soviet Union league in 1991, Rovshan went on to play football in five clubs in three countries, including Kopetdag and Nisa (Turkmenistan), Pamir (Tajikistan), Elimay (Kazakastan) and Genclerbieligi-Ankara (Turkey).

Says Azat, “Football has been his life. It was this quality in him that convinced me that if I were to do something in life it would be to at least reach the level of my father.’’

Rovshan is a firm believer in hard work, and says that’s the reason he provides his son ‘‘full support’’ in developing into a ‘‘quality’’ player. Adds Rovshan, who hails from a family of seven, which include five footballer sons — two of whom played pro football, ‘‘My father never supported me. When I declined to pursue academics and informed him that I wanted to become a footballer, my father said football was useless, and instead suggested that learning the piano was better. My father did accept my intentions and finally permitted me to play.’’

Having gone through a rough time, Rovshan says, ‘‘I would not like that to happen with Azat,’’ and adds, ‘‘he is young and has a long way to go’’.

Like father, like son; as his father did, Azat, back home in Ashkabad, apart from playing for Nisa, currently second-placed in the 10-team Pro-League back home, is pursuing a Diploma in Sports. Azat began his five-year career as a striker only to drop back to assist the defence. The switch, as Azat puts it, was because of his height advantage.

However, his appetite for goals continue. ‘‘His instinct remains,’’ Rovshan interjects, and reminds of the one he scored against India in their home match.

Coach since 1998, Rovshan, has been in charge of his national team at all levels including the senior nationals (2000) and under-19s (2001). His last-standing dream, which he stresses on, is to build a team like Manchester United or Real Madrid. ‘‘I’ll try my best,’’ he says, which is assurance enough that football in Turkmenistan is looking at something positive. The dice has been cast and Turkmenistan simply hope they make it to the next stage, and ‘‘that would be something,’’ says Rovshan, signing off.