The postponed match of the 18^th round of the Turkmenistan Premier League Football Championship took place. At the capital Stadium «Nisa» came principled rivals – «Ahal» and «Altyn asyr».

Just like last year, both teams are in a tough fight for the silver and bronze medals of the national championship. Going into the head-to-head match, «Ahal» was in second place in the tournament table, just 1 point ahead of «Altyn Asyr», who were in third place. As a reminder, this was the third meeting between the teams this season.

For «Ahal», this game was the last rehearsal before the AFC Challenge League group stage, which starts on the 17^th of October in Thimphu (the capital of Bhutan). There, the vice-champion of Turkmenistan will have to compete for a place in the quarter-finals against the current champions of their countries: «Paro» of Bhutan, «Al-Ittihad» of Syria, and «Al-Ansar» of Lebanon.

The match turned out to be extremely emotional and tough. Referee of the match, Ahmet Begnazarov from Mary, issued a total of 11 warnings and three red cards to players from both teams.

The following players received yellow cards for Ahal: Dovran Hojamammedov (2^nd minute), Hakmuhammet Beshimov (7^th), Yakupmuhammet Govshudov (20^th), Muhammet Ovezov (30^th) and Shazada Bashimov (90+3^rd). Players of «Altyn Asyr» who received warnings were: Alibek Abdyrahmanov (2^nd minute), Bahtiyar Gurgenov (7^th), Sohbet Durdyyev (26^th), Hoshgeldi Hojovov (44^th), Veysgeldi Orazdurdyyev (75^th) and Ruslan Tajiyev (83^rd).

The fate of the match was decided in the first half. In the 25^th minute, Zafar Babajanov put «Altyn Asyr» ahead, and in the 33^rd minute, Myrat Annayev confidently converted a penalty, doubling his team's lead.

The climax of passions on the field came at the end of the first half. In the 41^st minute, Yslam Annamyradov («Ahal») and the author of the first goal, Zafar Babajanov («Altyn Asyr»), were sent off the field for a clash between the two teams. A minute later, «Ahal» head coach Eziz Annamuhammedov also received a red card off the field.

The final whistle signaled a 2-0 victory for «Altyn Asyr». This result allowed the team of Yazguly Hojageldiyev to overtake their counterpart: the teams swapped places in the standings – «Altyn Asyr» rose to second place, pushing «Ahal» down to third.

Let us reminded that «Arkadag» striker Didar Durdyyev remains the clear leader in the top scorer race of the championship. The top scorer of the last four seasons has scored 22 goals (4 of them from penalties). His closest pursuer, «Ahal» forward Suleyman Mirzioev, is lagging behind by a significant margin – he has 10 goals (2 from penalties).