Three matches of the 17th round took place in the Turkmenistan Football Championship among the clubs of the highest league. The spotlight was on the game at the stadium in the Buzmeyin etrap of Ashgabat, where the AFC Cup 2018 finalist "Altyn Asyr" hosted the current winner of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 season, "Arkadag."
Earlier this season, the teams had already met twice. In both matches, "Arkadag" was clearly superior to their opponent. In the first round, Vladimir Bayramov's team scored three unanswered goals against "Altyn Asyr," and in the second match they completely defeated them 7-3.
In the third match, the reigning Turkmenistan champion inflicted the third heavy defeat on the Ministry of Communications team, winning 5-2. The scorers for the winners were: Guychmyrat Annagulyyev (18th minute), Begench Akmamedov (31st), Akhmet Atayev (40th), Shanazar Tirkishov (45+1), and Didar Durdyyev (81st). For the losing side, the goals were scored by Abdyrakhman Annamyradov (42nd) and Hoshgeldi Hojovov (60th – penalty).
After this victory, league leader "Arkadag" reached 54 points out of 54 possible, leading by 23 points with three matches yet to be played over "Ahal," whose match against "Kopetdag" was postponed to a reserve day due to the vice-champion of Turkmenistan’s participation in the preliminary qualification round of the AFC Champions League 2.
"Altyn Asyr," with 29 points, remained in third place, edging out Turkmenbashi’s "Shagadam," which also has 29 points, by tiebreakers. "Shagadam" played a 1-1 draw at home in the Balkan derby against "Nebitchi" from Balkanabat, which is currently fifth with 16 points. The visitors opened the scoring, with Bayramgeldi Nurlyyev scoring in the 24th minute. The home team equalized before halftime thanks to a penalty converted by Mekan Ashyrov in the third minute of added time.
In another 17th round match, "Ashgabat" won 2-1 in Mary against "Merv" and secured sixth place with 14 points. The goals for "Ashgabat" were scored by Roman Galkin (17th minute) and Begmyrat Bayov (33rd – penalty). For "Merv," the scorer was Shokhrat Ovmadov (51st).
In the race for top scorers, the leaders with 16 goals (1 from a penalty each) are "Arkadag" players Begench Akmamedov and Didar Durdyyev. Three goals behind them is their teammate Altymyrat Annadurdyyev. Following them are Shamammet Hydyrov ("Arkadag") and Mekan Ashyrov ("Shagadam") with 7 goals each (1 penalty each). Positions 6-8, with 5 goals each, are shared by Ikhlas Saparmamedov ("Arkadag"), Meylis Diniyev ("Ahal"), and Zafar Babajanov ("Altyn Asyr"). Players with 4 goals include Abdyresul Abdyyev ("Merv"), Magtymberdi Berenov ("Ahal"), Dayanch Meredov ("Kopetdag"), and Suleyman Mukhadov ("Altyn Asyr").
turkmenistan.gov.tm
