The 19^th round of the Turkmenistan premier league football championship presented fans with exciting matches and an unexpected twist in the battle for silver medals.

The match in Balkanabat at the «Sport toplumy» stadium, where the local «Nebitchi» hosted undisputed leader of the season, «Arkadag», became the highlight in terms of intensity and results. The visitors opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute thanks to a precise penalty kick by Didar Durdyyev. However, the home team quickly recovered and managed to turn the tide of the match: in the 8^th minute, Hydyr Agoyliyev equalised the score, and in the 30^th, Muhammet Annayev put «Nebitchi» ahead – 2:1.

However, the hosts were unable to maintain their advantage due to the incredible play of the same Durdyyev. The top scorer of the last four national championships scored four goals: in stoppage time of the first half (45+2') he restored the balance, and in the second half of the match (57' and 72') he sent two more goals into the goal of the opponent, bringing «Arkadag» a comeback victory with a score of 4:2.

The main sensation of the tour took place in Turkmenbashy, where the local «Shagadam» hosted «Ahal». The visitors entered the match with a weakened squad: due to the participation of the Turkmenistan youth team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying tournament in Thailand, «Ahal» was forced to play without its key player, youth team captain Yakupmuhammet Govshudov. The hosts took advantage of personnel problems of their opponents. At the end of the first half (45+1') Yhlas Magtymov put «Shagadam» ahead, and in the 80th minute Musa Nurnazarov strengthened the advantage of Primorskiy club. The goal of Dovran Hojamammedov goal in the 83^rd minute only slightly reduced deficit of the visitors - «Shagadam» held on for a 2-1 victory, forcing «Ahal» to lose crucial points in the battle for silver.

«Ashgabat» and «Kopetdag» met in the derby of the capital at the «Nisa» stadium. The teams exchanged goals early in the match: in the 10^th minute, Emir Berdiyev put «Kopetdag» ahead, but just four minutes later, Merdan Muhadov restored parity. The meeting ended in a draw – 1:1.

Another match of the round between «Altyn Asyr» and «Merv» was postponed to one of the reserve days due to the participation of the Turkmenistan youth team (under 20) in an international tournament. «Altyn Asyr» is in third place with 35 points after 17 games.

Sensational success of «Shagadam» allowed the club to rise in the table and, with 19 points, share 4^th-5^th place with «Nebitchi». «Merv» is two points behind them (17 games). «Ashgabat» is in seventh place (15 points after 20 games), and «Kopetdag» is at the bottom of the table with 13 points after 19 games.

In the race of top scorers, Didar Durdyyev («Arkadag») confirmed his absolute lead after scoring four goals. With 22 goals (3 from penalties), he increased his lead over his closest pursuers to 13 goals. Second place with 9 goals scored is shared by Arslan Saparov from «Kopetdag» (1 – from a penalty) and Suleyman Mirzoyev from «Ahal» (2 – from a penalty).