Football players of «Ahal» won the title of champions of Turkmenistan. This success was achieved by the team of the Main Department «Turkmennebitonumleri» ahead of schedule, three rounds before the end of the national championship after the closest pursuer «Altyn Asyr» lost in the capital derby «Kopetdag» - 1:2, and «Ahal» away defeated the Turkmenbashy «Shagadam» - 4:2.
The match in the seaside city of Turkmenbashy began with attacks by the home team, who opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Made by Mekan Ashyrov. On the 11th - Didar Durdyyev, having converted a penalty, restored the balance - 1:1. And the teams did not rest on this, continuing to compete in the rate of fire. In the 16th minute, Mekan Ashyrov, having scored a double from a 11-meter free kick, once again brought «Shagadam» ahead - 2:1. A minute later, Didar Durdyyev scored a double, and the score became equal again - 2:2.
At the 29th minute, the guests organized a productive attack, and Ata Geldiyev brought «Ahal» forward for the first time - 3:2. This score lasted until the 93rd stoppage minute, at which Arslanmyrat Amanov converted a penalty and put an end to a strong-willed victory - 4:2.
Thus, having won the national championship, «Ahal» interrupted the hegemony of the champion of the last eight years, «Altyn Asyr», and received the right to represent Turkmenistan in 2023 in the AFC Champions League.
«Ahal» has been playing in the national championship since 1992 and at the same time becomes the champion for the first time. The 34-year-old head coach of the team Mergen Orazov led to this success of the three-time winner of the Cup of Turkmenistan and the winner of the Super Cup of the country in 2014.
Silver medals will be awarded to «Altyn Asyr», which lagged behind «Ahal» by 14 points. In the away match with «Kopetdag», the team of the agency «Turkmenaragatnashyk» led 1-0 after Altymyrat Annadurdyyev's accurate shot in the 65th minute. However, at the end of the meeting, she conceded two goals and lost - 1:2. The winners scored Serdar Bayramov (83rd minute) and Begench Akmammedov (87th).
«Merv» and «Kopetdag» claim bronze medals. After the victory over «Altyn Asyr», the team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan reduced the gap from the third-placed «Merv» to two points, which did not count points in this round, having played a 2-2 draw with Balkanabat «Nebitchi» in the home match.
The game of the contender for bronze with the outsider of the national championship turned out to be very unpredictable. Having opened the scoring in the 45th minute after a penalty kick realized by Alibek Abdyrahmanov, «Merv» was already losing by the middle of the second half - 1:2 after an accurate shot by Magtymberdi Berenov (61st minute) and an own goal by Begench Alamov (66th). 2 minutes before the end of regular time, «Merv», thanks to the efforts of Toyly Gochnazarov, escaped defeat, and in stoppage time could even pull out a victory. However, Alibek Abdyrahmanov missed the penalty in the 97th minute, shooting wide of the goal from the penalty spot.
In one more match of the 25th round «Ashgabat», losing during the meeting to the Mary «Energetik» - 0:1, won a strong-willed victory - 2:1. Among the winners, Agajan Altyyev (74th - from the penalty spot) and Toymammet Sahetmammedov (88th) distinguished themselves, while the losers - Musa Nurnazarov (11th).
After this victory, «Ashgabat» scored 30 points and reduced the gap to 1 point behind the fifth-placed «Shagadam».
Having scored two goals against «Shagadam» in the 25th round, Didar Durdyyev («Ahal») strengthened the lead in the scorers dispute. He now has 23 goals (4 from penalties). Alibek Abdyrahmanov («Merv») is in the second position with 21 goals (5 from penalties). Begench Akmammedov («Kopetdag») closes the top three with 19 goals (3 from penalties).
Matches of the 26th round of the championship of Turkmenistan on football will be held on December 14. On this day, «Energetik» - «Shagadam», «Ahal» - «Kopetdag», «Altyn Asyr» - «Merv» and «Nebitchi» - «Ashgabat» will play.
