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“Altyn Asyr” Falls to “Al-Shabab” but Keeps AFC Challenge League Playoff Hopes Alive
In the third round of the AFC Challenge League group stage, Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr lost 1–3 to Oman’s Al-Shabab. Zafer Babadzhanov scored the only goal for Altyn Asyr in the 29th minute. Al-Shabab’s Hatim Al-Rushadi scored twice (53rd and 90+2nd minutes), while Hanaan Markne added another goal in the 45th minute.
The victory secured Al-Shabab’s spot in the quarterfinals, while Altyn Asyr retained second place in the group and a chance to advance to the playoffs. To qualify as the best second-placed team from the Western zone, Altyn Asyr needs either a draw in the match between Al-Sib (Oman) and Al-Ansar (Lebanon) or for Al-Kuwait to drop points against Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings.
Earlier in the group stage, Altyn Asyr had two wins: 1–0 against Kyrgyzstan’s Abdysh-Ata and 3–1 against Bhutan’s Paro.
The 2025/26 AFC Challenge League features 20 clubs divided into Western and Eastern zones. Matches are held in a centralized format, with each team facing opponents once. Each participating club receives $100,000.
Eight teams advance to the quarterfinals: three group winners and the best runner-up from the Western zone, along with the two best teams from each Eastern group. Quarterfinals will take place in March, semifinals in April 2026, and the final on May 9, 2026.
The previous edition was won by Turkmenistan’s reigning champion, Arkadag FC.
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A solemn opening ceremony of the automobile bridge over Garabogaz Bay was held in Turkmenistan, timed to coincide with the Day of Workers in the Construction and Industrial Complex, celebrated on November 3.
As reported by the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan," the construction contractor was the Ukrainian company "Altkom." The bridge meets international quality standards and technical operation norms.
The bridge spans 354 m in length and 21 m in width. The two-way roadway is designed for vehicles with a carrying capacity of 40-50 tons. Construction utilized sulfate-resistant cement, reinforced concrete structures, and other high-strength materials ensuring resistance to corrosion, deformation, and seismic loads.
The new structure is intended to provide high throughput in international freight road transport. At the opening ceremony, it was noted that the bridge symbolizes good neighborliness and friendship among the peoples of the region.
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