The second round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship among top league clubs kicked off with three matches in Ashgabat and Mary.

The match day opened with a game between “Ashgabat” and Turkmenbashi’s “Shagadam,” held at the Ashgabat Multifunctional Stadium.

In the 10th minute, the visitors took the lead after an own goal by Sohbet Allanurov. In the 25th minute, Serdar Gulyev doubled “Shagadam’s” advantage. However, five minutes later, the hosts pulled one back thanks to an accurate strike from Nurylla Raimbaev.

In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, “Shagadam” were reduced to ten men after Azizbek Bekchanov was sent off for a second yellow card. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Maksat Shamyradov’s team from extending their lead. In the 59th minute, Serdar Gulyev completed his brace, setting the final score at 3–1 in favor of “Shagadam”.

This marked the team’s second consecutive victory, following their 1–0 win over “Nebitchi” in the Balkan derby in the first round.

“Altyn Asyr” also secured their second win of the 2026 Turkmenistan Championship, defeating “Kopetdag” 3–0 in the Ashgabat derby. The match also took place at the Ashgabat Multifunctional Stadium. Goals from Rovshengeldi Halmamedov (33rd minute), Begenchmyrat Myradov (55th), and Mekan Ashyrov (67th) brought victory to Yazguly Hojageldiyev’s team. It is worth noting that “Kopetdag” played most of the match with ten men after Musaguly Zorjanov was sent off in the 19th minute.

In the first round, “Altyn Asyr” had defeated “Ashgabat” 4–1 in another capital derby.

Following these matches, “Altyn Asyr” and “Shagadam” have taken the lead in the standings with 6 points each. “Arkadag” and “Ahal,” who have played one match fewer, along with “Merv,” are three points behind. “Merv” secured their first win of the current championship at home, defeating Balkanabat’s “Nebitchi” 4–1. It was a comeback victory for the hosts. The visitors took the lead as early as the 4th minute through Begench Mamiev. However, Rahmanguly Bayliyev’s team soon equalized and then moved ahead. Goals for the Mary side were scored by Mekan Yazmyradov (13th minute), Avdyresul Abdyev (22nd), Ali Haidarov (34th), and Guvanch Berdimyradov (72nd). “Nebitchi” finished the match with ten men after Vezirgeldi Ilyasov was sent off in the 80th minute for a second yellow card.

The second round of the 2026 Turkmenistan Football Championship will conclude with the match between “Arkadag” and “Ahal.”