Turkmenistan: Altyn Asyr complete clean sweep with Cup triumph

Ashgabat’s Altyn Asyr FC completed another superb season in style, winning the Turkmenistan Cup with a 3-0 win over FC Ahal in Saturday’s final at Nisa Stadium.

The win was cause for a triple celebration for Yazguly Hojageldiyev’s side, who had earlier claimed the Yokary Liga and Turkmenistan Super Cup in another golden season for the club with a name which translates to ‘Golden Century’.

Certainly, the 2010s have been a golden decade.

Saturday’s success rounded out a third domestic treble in the last five seasons and secured a 14th domestic trophy from a possible 18 on offer since 2014 as Serdar Geldiyev, Mihail Titov and youngster Begenchmyrat Myradov all got on the scoresheet in the Cup decider.

Earlier in the week, Altyn Asyr FC suffered a rare loss in their final league fixture against FC Ashgabat, but still finished on 63 points, nine points clear of second-placed Ahal, who have qualified for the 2020 AFC Cup Preliminary Round.

After a brave campaign, FC Shagadam finished third on 52 points to earn their third podium finish since 2014.

IR Iran: Esteghlal hit four to retain top spot

FC Esteghlal lived up to their growing reputation as Iranian football’s entertainers as they solidified their place on top of the league with a 4-1 win against winless Shahin Bushehr on Saturday.

With speculation building around the possible return of Italian coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who resigned earlier this month, Esteghlal’s players got their own job done in style to take their tally to 32 goals in 15 matches; 12 more than any other club in Iran’s top-flight.

With 29 points in the bank, they remain one clear of both Sepahan, who scored a 2-0 win over Paykan, and Persepolis, whose 2-0 victory away at struggling Saipia extended their winning streak to three.

Elsewhere, Naft Masjed Soleyman claimed four points in as many days to reach the halfway mark of their league campaign still without a single defeat.

Having narrowly escaped relegation last season, the club have registered four wins and 11 draws so far this term to place them sixth on 23 points; just three points outside the all-important top four.

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