The match in Ashgabat between "Ahal" and "Merv" kicked off the 31st draw of the Cup of Turkmenistan on football.

This year, the second most important club honorary trophy is contested by 8 Premier League clubs. Three of them - "Altyn Asyr", "Ashgabat" and "Kopetdag" represent the capital. "Balkan" from Balkanabat and "Shagadam" from Turkmenbashi - Balkan velayat. "Merv" and "Energetik" - Mary region. And “Ahal” is Akhal velayat.

According to the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, in the current tournament, the winners of the pairs at the quarterfinal and semifinal stages will be determined based on the results of two matches, and not one, as was the case last year.

The Cup of Turkmenistan-2022 started with a quarter-final match at the Nisa stadium in the capital, in which Ahal won against Merv - 2: 1.

The hosts took the lead already in the 2nd minute - the best scorer of this season, Didar Durdyev, scored. After 4 minutes, Gurbanguly Ashirov increased the advantage of the team of the Main Department "Turkmennebitonumleri" to two goals.

At the 19th minute, Alibek Abdurakhmanov retook one goal. But the guests could not achieve more.

In the 75th minute, Ahal could have achieved a more comfortable score before the return game in Mary. In one of the attacks, Mirza Beknazarov was knocked down in the penalty area of the guests, and the referee of the match, Shageldy Khydyrov from Balkanabat, showed the 11-meter mark. Arslanmurad Amanov beat the penalty, but he could not outwit the goalkeeper Merdan Saparov.

The second leg of the opponents will take place on September 21 at the home stadium "Merv".

In other quarter-finals will play: "Energetik" - "Shagadam", "Kopetdag" - "Ashgabat" and "Altyn Asyr" - "Nebitchi".