After a weekend of upsets just gone, it was back to business as usual for this midweek round of Yokary Liga, as the top two reinforced their superiority on the league as a whole.
Leaders Ahal regained their three-point cushion after sitting out last weekend's action, yet they did it the hard way in Balkanabad against struggling Nebitci.
The home side took the lead through Merdan Gurbanov, after failing to do so from the penalty spot earlier in the game.
Their hot start turned the "bottom against top" narrative on its head only momentarily, as Ahal put their foot back on the gas, equalizing through Artur Gevorkyan's first since returning to the club in the winter. Defender Sohbet Allanurov clinched the winner after 69 minutes to rule out any giant shock in front of an impressive 4,000 attendance.
Altyn Asyr Wins Again
Out in the East, Altyn Asyr comfortably returned to its winning ways and stayed in touch with the top, hammering Merv in Mary 4-0. Impressive young striker Mikhail Titov notched yet another goal for the blues. Still, it was again a match to remember for Altymurad Annadurdyev who scored his 7th goals in eight games for the campaign. Elsewhere on Wednesday, the mouthwatering "best of the rest" encounter between Aşgabat and Sagadam ended in a stalemate.
After three successive 1-0 wins for the away side, the stern Sagadam defence was finally broken, before Ihlas Magtymov equalized in the second half. Kopetdag took advantage on Thursday, hammering Energetik 4-2 to move up to third. The away side are starting to finally show some attacking potency after several blunt weeks since the break, scoring all four of their goals in the first period.
The rather disjointed schedule of the Yokary Liga sees the next matchday played over Monday & Tuesday next week.
