The Uzbekistan national football team beat the Turkmenistan team with a score of 2:1 in the second round of the group stage of the CAFA Nations Cup. The group A match was held in Tashkent.

Igor Sergeyev scored a double for the hosts (37th and 44th minutes). The forward scored his second goal from the penalty spot. Turkmenistan's only goal was scored by Didar Durdyev from the 11-meter mark in the 84th minute of the match.

In the 59th minute, goalkeeper of the Turkmenistan national team Rasul Charyev was injured after a hard collision with the captain of the hosts Farrukh Saifiyev. Charyev was unable to continue the game, and his place in the goal was taken by Rustem Ahallyev. The captain of the Uzbekistan national team received a direct red card, leaving his team in the minority.

This is the first defeat for the Turkmenistan national team under the leadership of head coach Rovshan Meredov. Before this, the team played two matches without defeat.

The head coach of the Turkmenistan national team emphasized that the team is in the process of formation. "I would also like to draw attention to one point: this is only our third game under the leadership of the new coaching staff. The team is being updated. Our main goal is to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup," Meredov said at the post-match press conference.

The coach was pleased with the performance of his players: "The game was quite interesting, goals and a red card. The most important thing is that our team acted quite confidently. We didn't lose our heads in front of our opponents."

Forward of the Turkmenistan national team Didar Durdyev noted: "Uzbekistan is a strong team, with many young players. The match was very difficult. But, in my opinion, we could have tied, we just lacked a little luck."

In another group A match, the Omani team won a strong-willed victory over Kyrgyzstan with a score of 2:1. After two rounds, the national teams of Uzbekistan and Oman are in the lead (4 points each), followed by the teams of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan (1 point each).

In the next round on September 5, Turkmenistan will face Oman, and Uzbekistan will play Kyrgyzstan.