The footballers of "Arkadag" secured their fourth consecutive victory in the Turkmenistan championship by thrashing Ashgabat’s "Kopetdag" 6-1 in a postponed match of the 1st round.

The game took place in Arkadag – the first "smart" city in Turkmenistan.

In the first half, the underdog skillfully held back the attacks of the reigning two-time national champion, conceding only one goal before the break. Didar Durdyyev, the best scorer of the last two national championships, scored in the 22nd minute.

In the second half, the advantage of Vladimir Bayramov’s team became overwhelming. They scored five more goals against their opponents, conceding just one in their own net. The winners’ first hat-trick of the current season was recorded by Altymyrat Annadurdyyev (53rd, 70th, and 86th minutes), while Begench Akmamedov (58th) and Velmyrat Ballakov (84th) each scored once. The losing side’s goal of honor was scored by Didar Didarov (74th minute).

After this victory, "Arkadag" rose to third place in the league table with 12 points, reducing the gap to 3 points behind the leaders "Ahal" and by 1 point behind second-placed "Altyn Asyr". At the same time, "Arkadag" has played 2 fewer matches.

Following this game, the top scorers’ race was taken over by "Arkadag" forwards Altymyrat Annadurdyyev and Didar Durdyyev, each with 4 goals. Three goals each have been scored by Abdyresul Abdyyev ("Merv"), Zafar Babajanov ("Altyn Asyr"), Byashim Gurbanberdiyev ("Ashgabat"), Meylis Diniyev ("Ahal"), and Ikhlas Saparmamedov (both from "Arkadag"). Two goals each have been scored by Begench Akmamedov ("Arkadag"), Gurban Annaev, Dayanch Meredov, Elman Tagaev (all three from "Ahal"), Myrat Annayev ("Altyn Asyr"), Mekan Ashyrov, Ikhlas Magtymow (both "Shagadam"), and Meylis Gaylyev ("Ashgabat").

In the next, 8th round, "Kopetdag" and "Arkadag" will face each other again, but this time in Ashgabat as part of the second round-robin stage.