This weekend the Turkmen Yokary Liga joined the Tajik Higher League as two of five domestic leagues still playing football in the world, in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
While most twiddle their thumbs at home, parts of Central Asia continue on as normal.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s dismissive attitude towards the virus has made global news over the last couple of weeks, having encouraged non-disclosure of the word “coronavirus” within his nation.
According to the World Health Organisation, neither Turkmenistan nor Tajikistan officially confirmed a single case, but given both countries lack of medical resources, and Tajikistan’s alleged coverup of mysterious respiratory deaths earlier this week, admission that they will join the rest of the world in being immersed by this pandemic can’t be long away.
That said, for now, it’s business as usual. Sitting in the prime of position as two of the only live leagues running at present, both competitions served up a hotly tipped top of the table clash apiece for Central Asia’s very own “Super Sunday” to tantalize the neutrals, and boy it didn’t disappoint!
Yokary Liga
The early kickoff saw the resumption of the Yokary Liga, just short of a month since it was suspended due to the incoming outbreak. The two most successful sides in Turkmen football history; reigning champions Altyn Asyr and current league leaders Kopetdag, came together for the Aşgabat derby in front of, yes, actual attendees, all 500 of them.
In a broadly even but cagey contest, national team defender Mekan Saparov thought he’d given Altyn Asyr all three points with ten minutes left to play, only to be levelled at the death by Batyrgylych Berdyev to ensure Kopetdag cling on to the top spot.
For the hosts, two draws in their first three games suggest it’s going to be an open title race this term. A defence-first approach that worked wonders down the years, may need to be tuned up a tad as the season builds.
Ashgabat Stadium in Turkemnistan. A central Asian parallel reality.
Tajik Higher League
Over in Tajikistan, the late game on Sunday between the top Istiklol and Khatlon, went one step further in terms of drama.
The match, which had been switched from Qurghonteppa to Dushanbe in midweek, was weighted heavily in the hosts’ favour given their form coming into this, however, Khatlon’s victory over Khujand last week drew hopeful neutral observers.
They were richly awarded as their match-winner from last week, Parviz Baki-Akhunov, made it two in two, capitalising on some weak hands from Rustam Yatimov. While Manuchekhr Dzhalilov bundled in his fourth of the season for Istiklol shortly after to level things up, Khatlon wasn’t deterred.
A set-piece off followed by some neat footwork in the area, allowed skipper Umarjon Sharipov to waltz through the Istiklol defence and fire his side in front on the half time whistle.
A second-half which Istiklol predictably dominated threatened to go to the full distance, but the pressure finally started to tell; as Sharipov was dismissed for a second yellow, Ghanaian keeper Quaye Godson clumsily gifted a penalty in the 94th minute after a remarkably solid performance beforehand.
Manuchekhr Dzhalilov, who else, stepped up to snatch a point, keeping Khatlon at the league summit after going unbeaten against last season’s top two. After plenty of predictability in the opening weeks, this was the welcome tonic the league needed.
Elsewhere, Sunday’s early match in Tajikistan saw a Dushanbe derby between the two Pamir clubs; CSKA & Lokomotiv. Despite some promising openings, the home side eased their way through, despite missing a penalty to win 3-1.
The day before, Regar TadAZ overcame Istaravshan, in a clash of two sides previously yet to clinch a victory this season. In the resplendent TALCO Arena, the home side failed to kick on from a first-minute opener by Sherzod Makhamadiev, being pegged back by a cultured finish from Istaravshan captain Ilhomjon Baratov on the stroke of half time.
While they couldn’t be separated at half time, Regar TadAZ found their shooting boots in the second half, blitzing their visitors within the first 20 minutes. Makhamadiev scored a second before fellow striker Dilovarsho Ganiev also recorded a brace. A match that neatly summed up Tajik football at present, with equal amounts of sublime and audacious finishing, to that of defensive and goalkeeping howlers.
While it was goals galore in Tursunzoda, the leaky defences of Dushanbe 83 & Fayzkand bucked the trend inevitably with a drab 0-0 draw, the capital club’s first point since promoted from the Tajik First League.
Earlier today, Ahal took advantage of Sunday’s top of the table draw, to leapfrog to the summit of the Yokary Liga with a 2-0 victory over Sagadam. Altyn Asyr’s closest challengers in recent years take the early initiative.
The final match of the Tajik Higher League matchday three, schedule will conclude on Wednesday, as Kuktosh host Khujand in their rearranged tie, with few backing against the away side to bounce back after a meagre start to the season.
But as the rest of the weekend’s results attest, expect the unexpected in Central Asia...