The matches of the 9th round of the Turkmenistan Higher League football championship delivered incredible excitement for fans. The main clash of the round in Ashgabat confirmed the championship ambitions of the league leaders, while outsiders “Kopetdag” and “Ashgabat” simultaneously earned crucial three points by sensationally defeating the favorites.
First, however, about the central match of the round, which ended at the main arena of the multifunctional Ashgabat Stadium with a confident 4–0 victory for “Arkadag” over “Ahal.” The reigning three-time champions of Turkmenistan completely controlled the match, opening the scoring in the 27th minute through an accurate strike from Begench Akmammedov.
In the second half, the visitors pinned “Ahal” back near their own goal and within ten minutes turned the match into a rout, scoring three more unanswered goals. The scorers were Dayanch Meredov (68th minute), Resul Hojayev (70th), and Rahman Myratberdiyev (78th). “Arkadag” continues its flawless run.
The highest-scoring and most dramatic match of the round took place in Ashgabat’s Buzmeyin etrap, where second-placed “Altyn Asyr” faced bottom club “Kopetdag” in a capital derby. The nominal visitors produced a phenomenal first half. After trailing 0–1 following Bakhtiyar Gurgenov’s precise strike in the 17th minute, “Kopetdag” soon equalized and then took the lead thanks to Emir Berdiyev (25th) and Arslan Saparov (32nd). Two minutes later, Rovshengeldi Halmammedov kept “Altyn Asyr” in the game by leveling the score at 2–2. However, that result did not last long, and the teams went into halftime with “Kopetdag” leading 4–2, as Arslan Saparov scored again in the 42nd minute and Emir Berdiyev completed his brace in the 45th. In the 50th minute, Arslan Saparov completed his hat-trick, extending the Ministry of Internal Affairs team’s advantage to 5–2.
The closing moments of the match saw serious tensions erupt on the field. In the 93rd minute, Myrat Annayev reduced “Altyn Asyr’s” deficit to two goals, after which “Kopetdag’s” players struggled to keep their composure. During stoppage time, the team lost two players: in the 94th minute, Batyr Geldiyev was sent off with a straight red card, and in the 95th minute, Mekan Amanniyazov left the field after receiving a second yellow card. Nevertheless, “Kopetdag” held on for its first sensational victory of the current national championship, winning 5–3.
“Ashgabat” also earned its first victory of the 2026 Turkmenistan championship while visiting “Shagadam” in Türkmenbaşy. The capital club scored once in each half through Merdan Mukhadov (12th minute) and Nurulla Raimbayev (63rd). “Shagadam” was unable to break through the visitors’ organized defense and lost 0–2 on home ground.
In Balkanabat, local side “Nebitchi” hosted Mary’s “Merv.” In the 21st minute, Serdar Tukiyev put the home side ahead. Early in the second half, Salim Umarov restored parity, but the final word belonged to the Balkanabat club. In the 83rd minute, Maksat Chagbalyyev scored the decisive goal to secure an important 2–1 home victory for “Nebitchi.”
As a result, after nine rounds, “Arkadag” has increased its lead to eight points over second-placed “Altyn Asyr” with a total of 27 points. “Ahal,” with 17 points—two fewer than “Altyn Asyr”—completes the top three. “Ashgabat” and “Kopetdag,” who remain near the bottom of the standings, are now six points behind sixth-placed “Nebitchi” after their surprise victories over the favorites in this round.
There were no changes at the top of the scoring chart after this round. Didar Durdyyev of “Arkadag,” the top scorer of the last four national championships, remains the leader with 7 goals (1 from a penalty). Suleyman Mirzoyev of “Ahal” and Serdar Gulyyev of “Shagadam” share second and third place with 5 goals each. Mirzoyev has scored 1 penalty goal, while Gulyyev has scored 2.
