After a long break, the Turkmenistan Football Championship resumed with the 19th round match between "Ahal" and "Ashgabat". This game marked the start of the third round-robin stage of the national championship, the second half of which will proceed without Mary "Energetik", which decided to withdraw from the championship. Thus, eight clubs will continue to compete for the national title: "Arkadag", "Altyn Asyr", "Ahal", "Shagadam", "Merv", "Ashgabat", "Nebitchi" and "Kopetdag".

The match between "Ahal" and "Ashgabat" took place at the "Nisa" stadium in the capital. For "Ahal" players, it was the first game under the leadership of the new head coach, 42-year-old Velsakhet Ovezov. He replaced 43-year-old football specialist Dovletmyrat Annaev on the coaching bridge of the "Turkmennebitonumleri" team, who as head coach is preparing the Turkmenistan youth team (under 20) for the qualifying matches of the 2025 Asian Cup. Previously, V. Ovezov successfully assisted D. Annaev in coaching at "Ahal". And now he has the opportunity to work independently as the head coach of a top league team in the national championship.

Velsakhet Ovezov's coaching debut in this position was quite successful. His team effectively conducted the meeting against "Ashgabat", scoring three unanswered goals against the opponent. The winners were distinguished by: Meylis Diniev (6th minute), Elman Tagaev (55th), and Hakmuhammet Byashimov (78th).

After this victory, "Ahal" gained 37 points and caught up with "Altyn Asyr", who are in second place and have played one less match.

"Ashgabat", with 16 points, remains in sixth place in the standings.

On August 17, two more matches of the 19th round will take place: "Arkadag" vs. "Shagadam" and "Nebitchi" vs. "Kopetdag".

Another game of the 19th round between the teams "Altyn Asyr" and "Merv" has been postponed to another date due to the participation of the vice-champion of Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League-2 qualification.