Akhmat vs Ajman

Maksuti's 28th-minute opener was the decisive moment. With the match played in a low-key, closed training environment, the early goal allowed Akhmat to control proceedings without needing to chase the game. The Albanian's finish was his first for the club in pre-season following his summer arrival.

Erald Maksuti (Akhmat) — The match-winner. The Albanian striker scored his first Akhmat goal in the 28th minute, justifying Cherchesov's decision to start him. Maksuti had previously scored a hat-trick for Flamurtari against Dinamo City in April 2026 before his move to Russia.

Player of the Match: Erald Maksuti (Akhmat)

The provider payload confirms a single-goal margin that matched the 1-0 scoreline Sports Mole's pre-match model assigned as the most likely outcome (11.97% probability). Akhmat's 40.64% win probability reflected their status as favourites, though the narrow margin — just one goal separating the sides — points to a competitive workout rather than the 3-0 rout Akhmat produced against Radnik Bijeljina two days earlier on 14 July.

The friendly was Akhmat's latest pre-season tune-up in their Serbian training camp. Cherchesov's side had beaten Radnik Bijeljina 3-0 on 14 July and also recorded a 0-0 draw with IMT Novi Beograd and a 1-1 draw with Novi Pazar earlier in July. Akhmat finished ninth in the 2025/26 Russian Premier League with 37 points.

Next fixture: Akhmat open their 2026/27 RPL season away at Lokomotiv Moscow on 26 July 2026. Ajman's next competitive fixture is the 2026/27 UAE Pro League season, with the Gulf Cup campaign continuing later in the year.

A routine pre-season win for Akhmat, secured by Maksuti's early strike in a closed-door setting. The narrow scoreline suggests the primary focus was fitness and sharpness rather than a full-throttle performance, with Cherchesov's side now turning attention to their RPL opener against Lokomotiv Moscow on 26 July.