The Turkmenbashi-based "Shagadam" footballers have taken the lead in the Turkmenistan championship, achieving their second victory from the start of the national championship.

After winning the home game against "Merv" 1:0, the team coached by the honored coach of Turkmenistan, Ali Gurbani, defeated "Ashgabat" 3:2 away in the second round and now leads the tournament table with 6 points.

The victory was not easy for the team from the Caspian coast in Babarap gengeshlik of Gokdepe etrap of Ahal velayat, the sports complex of which "Ashgabat" chose as their home field. Before halftime, the opponents each scored once: in the 25th minute goal by Bayram Atayev, the hosts responded with a precise strike by Byashim Gurbangeldiyev seven minutes later.

In the 77th minute, Azizbek Bekchanov put the guests ahead 2:1. However, in the 88th minute, Meylis Gaylyev restored the balance 2:2. "Shagadam" won thanks to Mekan Ashyrov, who converted a penalty in stoppage time in the 93rd minute.

In another match of the game day, the Balkanabat-based "Nebitchi," playing with a man down from the 15th minute due to the expulsion of Serdar Gulyev for two yellow cards, unexpectedly won at home against last year's bronze medalist "Altyn Asyr" 1:0. The winning goal was scored by Arslangylych Nazgylyjov in the 15th minute.

"Merv" achieved its first victory in the Turkmenistan Championship 2025, confidently defeating the capital's "Kopetdag" 3:0 in Babarap gengeshlik. All three goals in this game were scored by Abdyresul Abdyev in the 6th, 56th, and 76th minutes, making him the first player to achieve a hat-trick in the new season. With three goals, he leads the list of top scorers.

The final match of the second round between "Arkadag" and "Ahal" has been postponed to a reserve day due to the reigning champion's involvement in matches of the third most important Asian club tournament – the AFC Challenge League.

"Arkadag" will play its first match in the Turkmenistan Championship 2025 on March 30 at home against "Shagadam."

Currently, before the third round, the teams "Merv," "Ahal," "Altyn Asyr," and "Nebitchi" share 2nd to 5th places, trailing "Shagadam" by three points. The teams "Arkadag," "Ashgabat," and "Kopetdag" are at the bottom of the table without any points yet. "Arkadag," as mentioned earlier, has not played any games so far.