Post by : Shakul

The race for the Turkmenistan Premier League title gathered further momentum as the opening matches of the 11th round delivered exciting results across Turkmenbashy, Ashgabat, and Balkanabat. League leaders Arkadag strengthened their grip on the top spot with another commanding victory, while Ashgabat continued their resurgence and Nebitchi secured a valuable win in a fiercely contested encounter.

Arkadag traveled to face Shagadam and quickly demonstrated why they remain the dominant force in Turkmen football. The visitors took an early lead through Rakhman Myratberdiyev in the fifth minute before Dayanch Meredov doubled the advantage just before halftime. Although Shagadam pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Guwanch Valiyev, Arkadag remained in complete control throughout the second half.

The defending champions sealed a convincing 4-1 victory with two successful penalty conversions. Guychmyrat Annagulyyev and Resul Hojayev both found the net from the spot, ensuring Arkadag maintained their perfect league record. The result further highlighted the team's consistency and championship credentials as they continue to set the pace at the top of the standings.

In Ashgabat, the home side delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season by defeating Merv 5-1 at Nisa Stadium. After a closely contested first half, Merdan Mukhadov broke the deadlock just before the interval. The hosts then produced a stunning attacking display after the break, overwhelming their opponents with pace and precision.

The star of the match was forward Pirmyrat Sultanov, who completed a remarkable hat-trick within just fifteen minutes. His goals in the 69th, 79th, and 84th minutes transformed the match into a rout, while Shatlyk Gurbanov also contributed to the scoreline. Merv managed only a late consolation goal as Ashgabat celebrated their third consecutive league victory.

The most intense contest of the round took place in Balkanabat, where Nebitchi hosted bottom-placed Kopetdag. Seyitmammet Hojamammedov scored the only goal of the match in the 17th minute, but the remainder of the game was defined by aggressive challenges and physical battles across the pitch. The referee issued ten yellow cards during the encounter, reflecting the high tension and competitive nature of the contest.

Following the latest results, Arkadag remain firmly at the summit with a flawless tally of 33 points from 11 matches. Ahal occupy second place with 20 points, while Altyn Asyr sit third with 19 points ahead of their crucial meeting. Nebitchi's victory lifted them to fourth position, while Ashgabat moved closer to the mid-table pack after their recent winning streak. In the race for the Golden Boot, Arkadag striker Didar Durdyyev continues to lead the scoring charts with nine goals, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most prolific forwards.

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