Football clubs «Arkadag» and «Ahal» have taken significant steps towards reaching the final of the 2026 Turkmenistan Cup after securing convincing victories in the first legs of the semi-finals.

The country’s runners-up, «Ahal,» recorded an emphatic 5–1 away victory over Ashgabat-based «Kopetdag.» Despite the final scoreline, the match was far from easy for the visitors: after the first half, «Ahal» were trailing 0–1 following Emir Berdiyev’s goal for «Kopetdag" in the 24th minute.

However, the second half completely changed the course of the match. Eziz Annamuhammedov’s side not only equalised but went on to overwhelm their opponents, scoring five consecutive goals. The scorers for the winners were Nazar Tovakelov (47th minute, penalty), Yakupmuhammet Govshudov (60th), Suleyman Mirzoyev (72nd), Islam Annamyradov (79th) and Annamyrat Meredov (83rd).

The reigning national champions and holders of the Turkmenistan Cup, «Arkadag,» defeated «Altyn Asyr» 3–1 at the Sport Toplumy Stadium in the Buzmeyin etrap of Ashgabat.

«Arkadag’s» Mekan Saparov opened the scoring in the 8th minute. In the 54th minute, the home side restored parity thanks to a precise strike by Rovshengeldi Halmammedov, making it 1–1. The decisive period of the match came in the middle of the second half, when Vladimir Bayramov’s side launched two quick and successful attacks, with Yazgylych Gurbanov scoring in the 65th minute and Dayanch Meredov adding another goal two minutes later, in the 67th.

The 2018 AFC Cup finalists’ hopes of mounting a comeback finally faded in the 84th minute, when Zafar Babajanov received his second yellow card, leaving «Altyn Asyr» a man down.

The second-leg semi-final matches will take place on 3 December, while the winner of the 2026 Turkmenistan Cup will be determined in the final on 13 December.