The "Arkadag" football club, the current champion of Turkmenistan, has successfully completed preparations for the third round of the 2024 national championship. In the final match of the training camp in Romania, head coach Vladimir Bayramov’s team defeated "Rapid" Bucharest with a score of 2:0.

During the training camp in Romania, "Arkadag" played five control matches, winning four victories and suffering one defeat. The team beat "Dynamo" Bucharest (1:0), "ACS Kids Tampa Brasov" (3:2), "Sepsi OSK II" (5:0) and "Rapid" (2:0), losing only to the "Concordia" team. (0:2).

On the eve of the resumption of the Turkmenistan championship, "Arkadag" made some changes to its lineup. Goalkeeper Rahat Japarov returned to "Ahal", and his place was taken by goalkeeper Rustem Ahalliyev, who also transferred from "Ahal".

After the first half of the season, "Arkadag" confidently leads the Major League with 48 points, ahead of its closest pursuers "Altyn Asyr" (37 points) and "Ahal" (34 points). The next championship match for "Arkadag" will be held on August 17 against Turkmenbashy "Shagadam".

It is worth noting that "Arkadag", founded in April 2023, will take part in the AFC Challenge League, the third most important club tournament in Asia, for the first time this season. The draw for the group stage of this competition is scheduled for August 22.