"Arkadag" Team Increases the Gap Even More: Results of the 8th Round of the Higher League

The matches of the 8th round of the Higher League of the Football Championship of Turkmenistan have concluded. The regular round presented the fans with goal-rich and fiercely contested matches. Following the played games, the competition between the leading teams in the tournament table entered a new phase.

One of the most anticipated and interesting matches of the round took place in the city of Mary, where "Merw" hosted the champion "Arkadag" team on its home field. The match proceeded under the complete dominance of the guests and ended with a big 7:0 victory. In the winning team, Didar Durdyýew scored a hat-trick (9th, 14th, and 58th minutes), becoming the hero of the round. Also, Şamämmet Hydyrow, Daýanç Meredow, Welmyrat Ballakow, and Ýazgylyç Gurbanow managed to net one goal each.

Fierce moments also occurred in the capital derbies. The "Ahal" team managed to score 4 unanswered goals against "Köpetdag" away from home. The goals were scored by Nazar Towakelow (brace), Bäşim Gurbanberdiýew, and Hakmuhammet Bäşiýew.

In another match between the representatives of Ashgabat city, the "Altyn Asyr" team managed to take 3 points from "Aşgabat" with difficulty. The destiny of the game was decided by the single goal scored by Abdyrahman Annamyradow in the 86th minute. In the match between the "Nebitçi" and "Şagadam" teams, considered the Western derby, the score was not opened, and the teams shared one point each.

After the 8th round, the top three in the tournament table of the championship looks as follows:

• "Arkadag" — occupies the top spot of the list with 24 points.
• "Altyn Asyr" — is in second place with 19 points.
• "Ahal" — consolidates the third position of the leaders with 17 points.