«Arkadag» secured a comeback victory over «Ahal», 4-1, in the opening match of the postponed 16th round of the Turkmenistan Premier League.
The game took place at the «Nisa» Stadium in Ashgabat.
The match between the country's two leading teams generated heightened interest, especially because it featured two AFC Champions League 2 teams. In Asia's second-largest club competition, reigning two-time champion «Arkadag» is playing in Group «B» alongside «Al-Ahli» (Qatar), «Andijan» (Uzbekistan), and «Al-Haldiya» (Bahrain). «Ahal», the runner-up, plays in Group «C» against «Sepahan» (Iran), «Al-Hussein» (Jordan), and «Mohun Bagan» (India). In the first round, «Ahal» won away against Indian champion «Mohun Bagan» 1:0, while «Arkadag» drew 0:0 at home with the 2024 Uzbekistan Cup winner Andijan.
Before this match, «Arkadag» and «Ahal» had already met twice in the current national championship. «Arkadag» had won both matches, 3-1 and 3-0.
The third meeting between these teams took an intriguing turn from the start. In the 8th minute, Yakupmuhammet Govshulov gave «Ahal» a 1-0 lead, and the national champion found itself in the position of having to fight back. With this result, the teams went into the break.
Throughout the first quarter of the second half, the players of the Main Administration of Turkmenistan successfully held off the attacks of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League winner until Didar Durdyyev, the top scorer of the last two Turkmenistan championships, tied the score at 1-1 in the 60th minute. Three minutes later, Shamammet Hydyrov gave «Arkadag» a 2-1 lead. In the 68th minute, Altymyrat Annadurdyyev increased the lead to two goals. Shamammet Hydyrov sealed the final result with a brace in the 72nd minute.
After this game, «Arkadag» striker Didar Durdyyev strengthened his lead in the scoring race with 20 goals (1 penalty). His teammate Begench Akmammedov is three goals behind him with 17 (1 penalty). Another Arkadag player, Altymyrat Annadurdyyev, rounds out the top three with 16 goals (1 penalty).
After this victory, «Arkadag» further strengthened its lead with 63 points. «Ahal» is 31 points behind the national champion, having played four matches fewer.
On September 25, «Arkadag» and «Ahal» will meet again, this time in the Turkmenistan Super Cup match. The game will take place at the «Nisa» Stadium in Ashgabat.
turkmenistan.gov.tm
