The 18th round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship among top league clubs started with three matches in Ashgabat, Balkanabat, and Turkmenbashi.
The two-time national champion "Arkadag" played away against Turkmenbashi's "Shagadam," which held off attacks from the current winner of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League until the 42nd minute. However, in the remaining time before halftime, the hosts conceded three goals. They were scored by Mekan Saparov (42nd minute), Didar Durdyyev (45+1), and Begench Akmamedov (45+3).
The second half had just begun when Didar Durdyyev completed a brace on the 46th minute. Only near the end of the match did "Shagadam" respond with a consolation goal, scored by Mekan Ashyrov in the 86th minute, who now has 8 goals (1 from a penalty). The top three goal scorers are players from "Arkadag": Didar Durdyyev – 18 goals (1 penalty), Begench Akmamedov – 17 (1), and Altymyrat Annadurdyev – 13 (1).
By winning over "Shagadam" 4-1, "Arkadag" further solidified their leadership with 57 points. "Ahal" trails the leader by 26 points but has played 4 fewer matches. The third and fourth places, with 29 points each, are shared by "Shagadam" and "Altyn Asyr," the latter having one match less played.
Fifth place with 19 points is held by "Nebitchi," which won at home against Mary's "Merv" 1-0 thanks to an accurate shot from Serdar Tukiev in the 3rd minute.
Two points behind the Balkanabat club is "Ashgabat," which won by the same score in the capital derby away to "Kopetdag." The winning goal for "Ashgabat" was delivered by former "Ahal" player Begmyrat Bayov with an impressive strike in the 62nd minute.
The 18th round will conclude with the match between "Ahal" and "Altyn Asyr." This will be the first game for the vice-champion of Turkmenistan after their victory in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Two qualification over the Tajik team "Regar-TadAZ" with a score of 2-1.
turkmenistan.gov.tm
