The U20 national team has finished in the top five at the 2026 Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup, currently underway in Ashgabat. Didar Khadzhiev and Mekan Nasyrov's men achieved this success by defeating the capital's Kopetdag in the fifth-place match, The Golden age electronic newspaper reports.

The victory was not easy for the youth team. Midway through the second half, they were trailing 2-0 after goals from Arslan Saparov (27th minute) and Orazgeldy Seyidov (60th). It seemed Kopetdag would easily secure the victory. But it was not to be. In the 69th and 75th minutes, Veyisgeldy Orazdurdyyev scored twice to level the score at 2-2. The score remained tied until the end of regulation time, and the winner was then decided in a penalty shootout. The Turkmenistan youth team won the shootout 5-3, ultimately finishing fifth. Kopetdag finished sixth.

In the other playoff match of the day, Nebitchi from Balkanabat defeated Merv 3-1 and finished seventh, leaving the team from Mary in eighth.

There are two games remaining in the tournament, which is being held at the central arena of the Ashgabat multifunctional stadium. Ahal and Ashgabat will play first in the third-place match. Then, Arkadag and Shagadam will play in the final of the 2026 Turkmenistan Football Federation Cup.

Last year, the FC Arkadag won this prestigious trophy, winning a single-round tournament held in the village of Babarap in the Geoktepe district, which featured six major league clubs.