The final match of the 11th round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship provided fans with a true spectacle. The highly anticipated clash between “Altyn Asyr” and “Ahal,” played at the Sport Toplumy stadium in Ashgabat’s Buzmeyin etrap, ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw.
The match fully lived up to its billing as a top-tier encounter, maintaining suspense from the opening whistle to the final minute.
The game began without the usual feel-out period typical of such important matches. Both teams immediately shifted into high gear, producing an incredibly intense first half.
As early as the 3rd minute, “Altyn Asyr’s” attacking leader Myrat Annaev opened the scoring, setting the tone for the contest. The visitors, however, responded impressively. In the 15th minute, Magtymberdi Berenov equalized, and in the 22nd minute, he completed his brace to put “Ahal” ahead 2–1.
“Ahal’s” lead proved short-lived. In the 25th minute, the unstoppable Myrat Annaev scored his second goal of the match to level the score at 2–2. Then, just before halftime, Begenchmyrat Myradov restored “Altyn Asyr’s” advantage, making it 3–2 in the 37th minute.
The second half was more disciplined defensively, but “Ahal” still managed to find an opening. In the 71st minute, Ruslan Priyev struck accurately to bring the score level once again and set the final result.
The 3-3 draw was a fitting outcome to a battle between two evenly matched and worthy opponents. “Altyn Asyr” demonstrated excellent finishing in the first half, while “Ahal” showed tremendous character by coming back from behind away from home in a demanding encounter.
This derby will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best matches of the current season, both for its intensity and the quality of attacking football on display. It provided a true football feast for supporters and plenty of material for reflection for the coaching staffs of both teams.
The draw between the two closest challengers benefited “Arkadag,” which increased its lead at the top of the table to 12 points. “Ahal” remains in second place with 21 points, while “Altyn Asyr” occupies third with 20 points.
In the race for the top scorer, Didar Durdyyev of “Arkadag,” the leading scorer of the last four national championships, continues to lead with 9 goals, including 2 penalties. He is followed by Suleyman Mirzoyev of “Ahal” with 6 goals, 2 of them from the penalty spot. Resul Hojayev of “Arkadag” and Serdar Gulyyev of “Shagadam” have each scored 5 goals. R. Hojayev has converted 1 penalty, while S. Gulyyev has scored 2 penalties.
The matches of the 12th round will be played on June 7. The fixtures are: “Merv” vs. “Altyn Asyr,” “Arkadag” vs. “Nebitchi,” “Kopetdag” vs. “Ashgabat,” “Ahal” vs. “Shagadam.”
