Footballers of "Ahal" strengthened their leadership in the national championship of the country, increasing the gap from the closest pursuer "Merv" to 3 points.
Such a situation in the upper part of the standings developed following the results of the 5th round, in which "Akhal" achieved another victory, and its competitors in the fight for the championship - "Altyn Asyr", "Merv" and "Shagadam" did not count points.
The leader in this round visited Kopetdag and after the first half lost 0:1 after a penalty kicked by Shiri Annaev in the 6th minute. In the second half of the meeting, which had to be played out the next day, the vice-champion scored two goals against the opponent and won a strong-willed victory - 2:1. The winners scored: Didar Durdyev (47th minute) and Arslanmurad Amanov (72nd).
Didar Durdyev now has 5 goals scored, and according to this indicator, he has become the sole leader among scorers. FC Kopetdag midfielder Begench Akmammedov has 1 goal less.
After this victory, "Ahal" scored 13 points.
His closest pursuers "Merv" and "Altyn Asyr" played each other in Mary in this tour. In the first half, the reigning champion of Turkmenistan had a noticeable advantage and could open an account before the break. But the hosts were rescued by the goal post twice, including after a powerful free-kick from Altymurad Annadurdyev.
After the break, due to the substitutions made, Merv leveled the game and also had two good chances for scoring. In one of them, Alibek Abdurakhmanov hesitated with the ball, and the defender managed to deflect the threat.
As a result, having drawn 0:0, "Merv" and "Altyn Asyr" increased the gap from the leader by 3 and 4 points, respectively.
On the fourth position with 8 points is the bronze medalist of last year's championship Turkmenbashi "Shagadam", who played in his field in a draw 0:0 with the Mary "Energetik".
Ashgabat won the first victory, and even a strong-willed one, in the championship of Turkmenistan-2022, beating the Balkanabat Nebitchi at home - 3:1. The guests opened the scoring already in the 4th minute, Sapa Arazgylydzhov did it. However, then the hosts scored three goals against the opponent, which were chalked up by Dovran Berdyev (34th), Pirmurad Sultanov (52nd) and Merdan Mukhadov (86th).
After this game, "Ashgabat" changed places with "Nebitchi", which closes the standings with 3 points.
The next, 6th round of the championship of Turkmenistan on football will begin on August 26 with a meeting: "Altyn Asyr" - "Ashgabat". And it will end on August 27 with matches: Energetik - Nebitchi, Ahal - Merv and Shagadam - Kopetdag.