The victory of "Ahal" over Balkanabat's "Nebitchi" – 2:0 – marked the start of the 33rd Turkmenistan Football Championship on Tuesday. The match took place in the Babarap gengeshlik of the Gokdepe etrap in Ahal velayat.

As tradition dictates, before the opening match, the Turkmenistan national anthem was played at the sports complex arena to mark the beginning of the new national championship.

The game began, and "Ahal's" captain, Elman Tagaev, missed a real chance to score in the first half when his shot hit the crossbar. However, the first goal of the 2025 Turkmenistan Championship was scored before halftime. Makhmutberdi Berenov was the author in the 38th minute, assisted by a pass from E. Tagaev. Berenov skillfully evaded two defenders, entered the penalty area, and accurately shot into the left corner of the goal from 13 meters.

In the 73rd minute, Dayanch Meredov, who came on as a substitute in the second half, made a successful run to the goal and delivered a perfect pass to Gurban Annayev, who scored the second goal against "Nebitchi" with a touch from six meters.

In the remaining time until the final whistle, Velsahet Ovezov's team maintained the winning score, earning their first three points. 

"Ahal's" next match will be on March 14 at home against Ashgabat's "Kopetdag", while "Nebitchi" will host the capital's "Altyn Asyr" on March 10.

The opening round of the 2025 Turkmenistan Championship will continue on March 5 with matches: "Altyn Asyr" vs. "Ashgabat" and "Shagadam" vs. "Merv". The final game of the first round between "Arkadag" and "Kopetdag" has been postponed to a reserve day due to "Arkadag's" participation in the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals against India's "East Bengal".   

Recall that eight teams are competing for the national championship medals, playing each other in four round-robin stages. Three clubs – "Altyn Asyr", "Ashgabat", and "Kopetdag" – represent the capital. "Nebitchi" is from Balkanabat and "Shagadam" from Turkmenbashi – Balkan velayat, "Ahal" from Ahal velayat, "Merv" from Mary velayat, and the reigning champion of Turkmenistan, "Arkadag", from the city of the same name.  

The first match of the 2025 championship for "Arkadag" will take place on March 30 at home against "Shagadam".

At the end of the championship, which concludes at the end of the year, the top two teams in Turkmenistan will earn the right to participate in Asian club tournaments.

Recall that last year's championship ended with "Arkadag" becoming the champion of Turkmenistan for the second time, "Ahal" taking silver, and "Altyn Asyr" winning bronze.