The "Arkadag" team won their twenty-third victory in the Turkmenistan Football Championship, defeating "Ahal" 2-1 in the 25th round.
The game took place at the "Nisa" stadium in the capital.
The match was of great importance for "Ahal," a two-time participant of the AFC Cup, who is fighting for the bronze medals. And it was only a matter of prestige for "Arkadag," which had already secured the championship four rounds before the end of the national championship.
In the first half, the debutant representing the city of the same name of state importance showed that they were not willing to give in to the former Turkmenistan champion. "Arkadag" found itself in the role of a scorer after an accurate strike by Arslanmyrat Amanov in the 34th minute. Abdy Byashimov secured a 2-0 advantage for "Arkadag" in the 47th minute
In the 70th minute, Vladimir Bayramov's wards remained in the minority due to Ilya Tamurkin's two yellow cards. Seven minutes later, the team of the Main Department of "Turkmennebitonumleri" scored a goal through Alibek Abdurakhmanov. However, Serdar Geldiev's team could not achieve more.
With this defeat, "Ahal" made it more difficult for themselves to win the bronze medals.
The Balkanabat’s "Nebitchi" took full advantage of their direct competitor's mistake in the battle for the bronze. They defeated "Ashgabat" 4-2 at home. The scorers for the winners were: Magtymberdi Berenov (23rd minute - penalty), Gurbangeldi Batyrov (49th minute), Yenish Berdimyradov (51st minute - auto goal), and Serdar Tukiyev (80th minute). The scorers for the guests were Nepesmyrat Lallakov (71st minute) and Khojanazar Gurbanov (90th minute - penalty).
"Ashgabat" completed their performance in the championship, earning 30 points in 24 matches. "Nebitchi," after this victory, strengthened their position in third place with 37 points, increasing their lead over "Ahal" to 5 points, although they have played one match less. To win the bronze medals, the footballers from Balkanabat now only need to avoid losing any points in the remaining two matches.
In another match of the 25th round, the capital's team "Kopetdag" won 2-1 against "Energetik" from Mary at the central arena of the multifunctional "Ashgabat" stadium. The victory was brought to the team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan by Shamamet Khydyrov, who scored a double in the 28th and 68th minutes. The guests opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the additional time due to Guvanch Berdimyradov's efforts.
After this victory, "Kopetdag" reduced the gap to 2 points behind "Ashgabat," who are currently in fifth place. "Energetik" is in 7th place with 17 points.
Both "Kopetdag" and "Energetik" have one game left until the end of the championship.
