
On 16 December, Aral hosted Bukhara in Nukus for the third round of the relegation playoffs.
A victory would have marked a historic moment for the team from Karakalpakstan, granting them their first promotion to the elite tier in 25 years. However, their dream fell short. The match was decided by a single goal from Toma Tabatadze, who scored with a header following a well-delivered corner kick.
With this crucial win, Bukhara retains its place in the Superleague and becomes the final confirmed participant for the 2026 season.