The famous football player of the national team of Turkmenistan Artur Gevorkyan, who plays in the Indonesian championship for Persib Bandung, gave an exclusive interview to Turkmenportal. The conversation took place at the edge of the football pitch of the Ashgabat Stadium, where an experienced 34-year-old midfielder trained as part of the Turkmenistan national team before leaving for Dubai (UAE).

- Artur, you have been playing in Uzbekistan football clubs for many years. However, at the beginning of the season, you moved to FC Ahal, and then unexpectedly found themselves in an Indonesian club. Tell us about your transfer.

- We agreed with FC Ahal by mutual agreement. Received a good offer from Indonesia. The management of FC Ahal made concessions to me, reacted with understanding to the situation, for which many thanks.

- In the 2019 Turkmenistan football Championship for FC Ahal, you played just two matches, in which you won, and then left the team. What did not suit you in the club of the vice-champion of Turkmenistan?

- Everything suited me in FC Ahal. Once again, I received a good offer from abroad, which we discussed with the leadership of this club. We understood each other and together came to a common opinion. So, I broke up with FC Ahal on good and positive notes. 

- How did you find yourself in an Indonesian club?

- I received an offer from the Persib Bandung team, I accepted it. But before we went to Indonesia, we discussed all the conditions with the Turkmen FC Ahal and the Indonesian Persib Bandung. This all happened not in one day, it lasted for several days.

- How do you like the championship of Indonesia? How much is he stronger than the championship of Turkmenistan?

- I can not say that the championship of Indonesia is stronger or weaker. These are very different championships. The climate is different there, everything is different there, the situation is different. You can compare the level of national teams: who is in what place in the FIFA ranking, it can be compared. And the championships are different. The championship of Uzbekistan is another, the championships of Turkmenistan, Indonesia are also different.

- How did you receive in a new club? Are you satisfied with your current position in the Indonesian club?

- Yes, of course, I was well received. The team is very good, the club management too. I am satisfied with my position in the team. In the last match we played in a draw, and before that we won one game. This is football. The following games will have to be won, everything will be fine. The team is good,  the tasks are high. Will be working.

- What are the goals set for your club in Indonesia?

- The first goal is the championship. We have a team of good players, everything is within our power. We will try to fulfill the tasks assigned to us.

- After some time, you were again invited to the national team of Turkmenistan. How unexpected for you was this challenge to the national team?

- Why unexpected? I would not like to discuss what happened in the past. Now leadership has changed. Before that, the coaching staff also changed, and I was in the national team. Now the coaching staff has changed again, and I was again called to the national team.

- What are your impressions of the work of Croatian specialists in the national team of Turkmenistan?

- Only good and positive impressions. I just flew in just recently, but we met and discussed and talked. We understand each other. I think everything will be good.

- Do you agree to continue coming to the national team at the first request of the coaches?

- Of course! I was always ready to come to the national team of Turkmenistan, throughout my football career. I was always glad to be invited to the national team. After all, the team is the honor of the country. It is necessary to understand that this is a duty, first of all, to the country and to itself.

- The number of your subscribers in the Instagram social network is 148 thousand people. How do you feel about your popularity?

- No, this is not popularity (laughs). Now is the time, the younger generation is sitting a lot on the Internet, without this in any way, I myself also sit, I will not hide. But I do not focus on this, in the first place - the result. One must not deceive oneself, but play. Fans and subscribers - it all comes and goes. On this, I think, it is not necessary to place a big emphasis.