Tursunzade Central Stadium hosted the key playoff match of the second AFC Champions League-2025/26, in which the winner of the Tajikistan Cup-2024 Regar-TadAZ hosted the Turkmen Akhal.
The only ticket to the group stage of the tournament was at stake – the loser received the right to compete only in the AFC Challenge League.
Before the meeting, the Tajik club was considered the favorite. Alisher Tukhtayev's team had an almost optimal squad at its disposal, retained key players and strengthened with several newcomers, including the return of striker Shervoni Mabatshoev from Azerbaijan. The situation at Akhal was much more complicated – a change of coaching staff, a restructuring of the team and the departure of several leading players.
Nevertheless, it was the guests who managed to create a sensation. In a tense and stubborn struggle, Akhal scored an away victory with a score of 2:1, securing a place in the group round of the Champions League-2.
Bakhtiyar Gurgenov opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, but two minutes later David Atsam regained his balance. However, the ending remained for the Turkmen team – Suleiman Mirzoev scored the decisive blow in the 82nd minute.
The defeat was a painful blow for Regar, because the match was held with the support of the home stands, and the tournament path in the Champions League ended earlier than the fans expected. Now the team from Tursunzade will continue the season in the AFC Challenge League, the third most important club tournament in Asia.
Despite the setback, Regar-TadAZ retains its chances to make itself known on the Asian stage, albeit in a less prestigious tournament. For the team, this is a chance to correct mistakes, strengthen the squad and use the Challenge League as a springboard for future success.
