ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (Interstat) — Asgabat defeated Merw 2-1 on Thursday in a Ýokary Liga match at Nusaý Stadiony. Begmyrat Baýow opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute. Ysmaýyl Nyýazberdiýew equalized for Merw in the 28th, but Abdyresul Abdyýew netted the winner for Asgabat just 11 minutes later. The result improves Asgabat’s league record to 8-18-5, while Merw’s struggles continue, falling to 2-20-7 this season.