Arkadag came into the tie with a perfect record and only needing a draw to advance while Al Arabi had to win after having lost 1-0 to Abdysh-Ata on Matchday One, which was followed by victory against Maziya Sports.

Al Arabi seized the early initiative with Hussain Ashkanani and Ali Khalaf both seeing their efforts blocked, while Youssef Majed wasted a glorious chance in the 11th minute after Hamza Khaba’s set-up inside the six-yard-box.

The Kuwaiti had their first shot on target seven minutes later when Ali Khalaf brought the best out of Arkadag keeper Rustem Ahallyyew, who pulled off a fine save to parry the midfielder’s headed attempt.

Al Arabi showed more attacking intent and came close again in the 19th minute when Ali Porusaniei floated a pass to Youssef Majed, whose shot was parried by Ahallyyew at point blank range.

Ahallyyew showed his agility again a minute later when he kept out Hasan Al Enezi’s header as Arkadag continued to frustrate Al Arabi.

The home side finally took the lead in the 40th minute after Khaba nodded down Hamad Al Qallaf’s cross for an unmarked Ali Khalaf, who broke into the box before unleashing a powerful shot into the top right corner of the net.

Al Arabi doubled their lead four minutes into the second half when Al Qallaf’s long pass off a set-piece situation was teed up nicely by Khaba for Jomaa Aboud to score with a low effort into the bottom left corner.

Arkadag’s Guycmyrat Annagulyyew struck the post with his headed attempt off a set-piece situation in the 60th minute but it was Al Arabi who went further ahead, Khaba making no mistake from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. 

Youssef Majed’s red card two minutes later saw Arkadag maximising their numerical advantage with Begenc Akmammedow nodding home Arslanmyrat Amanow’s corner in the 84th minute before converting from the spot in the dying seconds as the Turkmenistan side ultimately ran out of time.