Four contenders are left for the Football Cup of Turkmenistan-2023. «Arkadag», «Altyn Asyr», «Ahal» and «Merv» will continue the fight for the second most important club trophy. This was determined by the results of the return quarter-final matches.
As we have already reported, «Arkadag» was the first to reach the 1/2 finals, having twice confidently defeated the capital's «Kopetdag»: 5:1 in the first game and 4:1 in the second game.
The reigning champion and winner of the Cup of Turkmenistan «Ahal» and the vice-champion of the country «Altyn Asyr» did not experience big problems with reaching the semifinals.
«Ahal» after a home victory in the first match over «Shagadam» - 4:1 won and in the second leg against the finalist of the Cup of Turkmenistan-2022 away - 3:0. In the team of the Main Department «Turkmennebitonumleri» Pirmyrat Soltanov scored a double (8th and 25th minutes), another goal was scored by Meylis Diniyev (70th).
«Altyn Asyr» on the way to the semi-finals also scored two victories over the Balkanabat «Nebitchi». In the first home game, the team of the agency «Turkmenaragatnashyk» won with a minimum score of 1:0, and in the return away match, thanks to a double by Rahman Myratberdiyev (25th and 60th minutes), the advantage of the ex-champion of Turkmenistan turned out to be more convincing - 2:0.
But the fate of the last finalist was determined in a bitter struggle. In the first match in Mary, «Merv» won quite confidently against «Ashgabat» - 3:1. And in the second leg, «Ashgabat» won back two goals after accurate shots by Rovshen Baylyyev (21st minute) and Begmyrat Pirkuliyyev (53rd). The denouement of the meeting came at the end of the day thanks to a brace from the top scorer of the Mary club Alibek Abdyrahmanov, who first scored one goal from the penalty spot in the 88th minute, and scored the second in the first minute of the game compensated by regular time. The match ended in a draw - 2:2, and following the results of two meetings, «Merv» advanced to the semi-finals.
In the 1/2 final «Merv» will play with «Ahal», and «Altyn Asyr» - with «Arkadag».
The date of the semi-final and final matches will be announced later.
