There have been several changes in the top three of the standings following the 16th round of the Turkmenistan Premier League.
The central event of the round was the clash in the city of Arkadag, where the local club of the same name, representing Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League Two, hosted “Ahal”, who are making their debut in the AFC Challenge League this year. The hosts stunned their opponents with a fast start: Didar Durdyyev opened the scoring in the 4th minute, and just four minutes later, in the 8th minute, Akhmet Atayev gave “Arkadag” a comfortable two-goal lead. The visitors managed to pull one goal back through Yolmammet Garajayev in the 23rd minute, but they were unable to avoid defeat. The match ended 2–1. The victory allowed “Arkadag” to maintain its perfect record: the team remains unbeaten, having collected 48 points from a possible 48.
“Ahal’s” slip-up was capitalized on by “Altyn Asyr”, who had secured a comeback victory a day earlier in the capital derby against “Kopetdag” — 2–1. After conceding a goal to Arslan Saparov in the 19th minute, the “telecommunications workers” equalized in first-half stoppage time through Rovshengeldi Halmammedov (45+1). In the second half, an own goal by the home side’s defender Bayramgeldi Gulmamedov in the 68th minute gave “Altyn Asyr” the winning goal. With 35 points, “Altyn Asyr” climbed to second place in the standings, pushing “Ahal” (33 points) down to third.
Two other matches in the round ended in narrow 1–0 victories. Balkanabat-based “Nebitchi” defeated “Merv” away from home thanks to a goal by Akmammet Metdayev in first-half stoppage time (45+1). With 17 points, “Nebitchi” consolidated fourth place, moving three points clear of the Mary-based side. Meanwhile, “Ashgabat” defeated Turkmenbashi’s “Shagadam” 1–0 at the Nisa Stadium in the capital. Merdan Muhadov scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute. The victory allowed “Ashgabat” to catch up with “Shagadam”, with both teams now on 13 points and sharing sixth and seventh places.
Capital club “Kopetdag” remain at the bottom of the standings in eighth place with 11 points.
By scoring yet another goal in this round, Didar Durdyyev of “Arkadag”, the top scorer in the last four national championships, further strengthened his lead in the race. He now has 14 goals to his name, including three from the penalty spot. “Altyn Asyr” forward Rovshengeldi Halmammedov and “Ahal” striker Suleyman Mirzoyev share second and third place with eight goals each. Mirzoyev has scored two of his goals from penalties.
