The matches of the 20th round of the Turkmenistan Higher League Football Championship were held, providing fans with uncompromising competition. The round opened with three matches in Ashgabat, Balkanabat, and Turkmenbashi.

In the capital, at Nisa Stadium, FC “Ashgabat” hosted “Ahal,” who are competing for the medals. The visitors took control of the game from the very beginning and, before the break, secured a comfortable advantage thanks to goals by Dowran Hojamammedov in the 29th minute and Suleyman Mirzoev in the 41st minute.

In the second half, Magtymberdi Berenov was in outstanding form, scoring twice in the 64th and 75th minutes. The hosts attempted to mount an attack toward the end of the match: in the 81st minute, Merdan Mukhadov pulled one goal back. However, Byashim Gurbanberdiyev cooled the opponents’ enthusiasm in the 88th minute by scoring his team’s fifth goal. Tirkishmyrat Sarymyradov’s final goal in the fourth minute of added time only slightly softened “Ashgabat’s” defeat — “Ahal” secured a convincing 5:2 victory.

“Altyn Asyr” were equally confident in their away match, traveling to the “Sport Toplumy” Stadium in Balkanabat to face local side “Nebitchi.” The visitors stunned the hosts with an early goal in the very first minute of the match, scored by Veysgeldi Orazdurdyyev. Four minutes before the break, Rovshengeldi Halmammedov doubled the advantage, and at the very beginning of the second half, in the 49th minute, Bagtyyar Gurgenov extended the score to a commanding margin. The only thing “Nebitchi” managed was a consolation goal by Bayramgeldi Nurlyyev in the 79th minute, which set the final score at 3:1 in favor of “Altyn Asyr.”

The most dramatic and emotional duel took place at “Shagadam” Stadium in Turkmenbashi, where the hosts faced “Merv.” The match was officiated by Ashgabat referee Nariman Garajaev, who issued a large number of cautions: Hydyrgeldi Ajanov, Guvanch Valiyev, Gurban­guly Garayev, Rovshen Ballyyev, Ykhlas Magtymov, Serdar Guliyev, Hydyrgeldi Yakubov, and even coach Vekil Kadyrov received warnings for the home side. For the visitors, Mekan Yazmyradov, Suleyman Mukhadov, and Salim Umarov were shown yellow cards, as were Ali Haydarov and Sohbet Allanurov after the final whistle.

The sporting aspect of the match kept everyone in suspense until the final seconds. “Merv” took the lead as early as the 7th minute through a goal by Suleyman Mukhadov and held on to the winning score for a long time. However, the closing stages belonged to “Shagadam”: in the 86th minute, Gurban­guly Garayev restored the balance, and in the 89th minute, Serdar Guliyev secured an incredible comeback victory for his team, 2:1.

The 21st-round program was completed by the match in which the perennial leader of the national championship, “Arkadag,” faced the capital’s “Kopetdag.” The encounter at the eponymous stadium in Ashgabat was closely contested and produced few goals. The outcome was decided by a single accurate strike toward the end of the first half: in the 40th minute, Ykhlas Toyjanov headed home a corner kick from the right flank, securing a narrow 1:0 victory for the visitors.

The matches played did not change the balance of power at the very top of the standings. “Arkadag” confidently lead the championship with a perfect record of 63 points after 21 matches. “Ahal” are in second place, 21 points behind, with 42 points from 20 matches. “Altyn Asyr” are close behind in third place with 41 points from 19 matches. Their hard-fought home victory allowed “Shagadam” to reach 22 points and consolidate fourth place, three points ahead of Balkanabat’s “Nebitchi.” The lower part of the table consists of “Merv” with 18 points and a game in hand, “Ashgabat” with 15 points, and “Kopetdag,” who have 14 points.

In the national championship’s scoring race, “Arkadag” forward Didar Durdyyev, the league’s top scorer for the past four seasons, remains the undisputed leader with 22 goals already scored (four from penalties). His closest pursuer remains “Ahal” forward Suleyman Mirzoev, who added to his tally in this round and occupies second place with 10 goals (two from penalties).