The «Arkadag» footballers took the lead following the second round of the Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup held in the Ahal velayat.
After a 4:1 victory over Balkanabat's «Nebitchi» in the first round, Vladimir Bayramov's team beat last year's silver medalist «Ahal» 3:2.
The two-time champion and vice-champion of Turkmenistan came to this match with 3 points each. During the match, «Arkadag» was losing 0:1 after a precise strike in the 16th minute by Dayanch Meredov. However, the quarter-finalist of the AFC Challenge League did not have to fight back for long. Eight minutes later, Guychmyrat Annagulyyev leveled the score 1:1. In the 31st minute, the best scorer of last year's national championship, Didar Durdyyev, put «Arkadag» ahead 2:1. With this score the teams went into the break.
In the 50th minute, Resul Hojayev increased the advantage of «Arkadag» to two goals – 3:1. In the extra time in the 93rd minute, Yakubmuhammet Govshudov reduced the gap of «Ahal» to a minimum – 2:3. But the vice-champion of Turkmenistan could not avoid defeat.
After this victory, «Arkadag» topped the tournament table with 6 points. Mary's «Merv», which tied 0:0 with Balkanabat's «Nebitchi», is 2 points behind it.
In another match of the 2nd round, the opponents ended in a draw: «Ashgabat» and «Shagadam» from the city of Turkmenbashy played to a 1:1 draw. Here, both goals were scored in the first half. In the 23rd minute, Shyhdurdy Amandurdyyev put «Ashgabat» ahead - 1:0. However, 5 minutes later, Yagshysahet Dovletgeldiyev restored the balance.
«Ashgabat», «Shagadam» and «Nebitchi» eventually earned their first point, and now they are all 2 points behind third-placed «Ahal».
Let us remind you that all games of the FFT Cup 2025 are held in the Babarap gengeshlik of the Gokdepe etrap.
The matches of the third round of the FFT Cup 2025 will be held on the 18th of February. On this day, the following will play: «Shagadam» - «Arkadag», «Ahal» - «Nebitchi» and «Merv» - «Ashgabat».
