The traditional Freedom QJ League exhibition All Star Game took place in Almaty.
A team featuring the best U-18 players in the competition faced the academy players of Borussia Mönchengladbach, a major German club with a rich history and a highly respected academy.
Every sporting event organized by the League has its own unique concept. The main idea behind QJL All Star 2026 was expressed in the phrase “Your Spark. Our Fire”. That is why the opening ceremony, the halftime show and the afterparty performance surprised the guests with spectacular performances featuring real flames.
As always, a variety of pre-match activities awaited guests behind the stands, including photo opportunities, VR and AR attractions, entertainers, food outlets and special partner zones from COPA.KZ and Changan Kazakhstan. All activities were designed around the evening’s “fiery” concept.
Before kick-off, welcoming speeches were delivered by Kazakhstan Football Federation General Secretary Scott Mann, Borussia board member and legendary club goalkeeper Uwe Kamps, Changan Kazakhstan Distribution Director Denis Kolomatsky, and League President Rochus Schoch.
As a special recognition of their contribution to football, two guests from Germany – Uwe Kamps and Borussia coaching staff member, European champion and World Cup runner-up Christian Ziege – were presented with traditional Kazakh chapans.
The vice-president of the Black-White-Greens received a special gift from Yevgeniy Yarovenko – Uwe Kamps won bronze with West Germany at the 1988 Olympic Games, the same tournament in which the League ambassador claimed gold.
An Even Contest and a Long-Awaited Victory
Rinat Zhiembekov named Kamil Gainullin (captain), Islam Rakym, Alfir Khanafi, Meirlan Baltabayev, Mansur Avaskhanov, Damir Yussupbekov, Alikhan Zhumabek, Marlen Amrenov, Rasul Akimov, Sergey Sharunov and Daulet Orynbasar in the starting lineup.
Borussia’s coaching staff, meanwhile, opted for Maximilian Quante, Joel Uwakhonye, Nils Hagedorn, Maxim Lagos, Ozan Sulaksu, Piet Sautner (captain), Salih Yusa Canim, Ivan Caleta, Felix Schlösser, Kenny Vestjens and Aldrin Asani.
The 3,055 fans of all ages in the stands passionately urged QJL All Star forward. However, the visiting team demonstrated the quality of Borussia’s football development system and the strong individual ability of its players – it is no coincidence that the squad includes players representing youth national teams of several countries.
The match was evenly contested, and the spectators did not see a goal from open play. The hosts had good opportunities to score, but Borussia’s defence, including the goalkeeper, dealt effectively with the danger. The Kazakhstan side’s back line also performed its duties well.
As a result, the sporting drama reached its peak in the post-match penalty shootout. QJL All Star held their nerve and emerged victorious in the tense contest – 6–5.
Kairat midfielder Islam Rakym was named QJL All Star’s best player. Piet Sautner received the individual award for the visitors.
A year earlier, the match against Atlético Madrid also went to a penalty shootout. On that occasion, regulation time ended 1–1, with Astana winger Maksat Abrayev scoring for QJL All Star. He recently made his first-team debut for the capital club in European competition. However, while the visitors from Spain celebrated victory in the shootout last year, this time the Kazakhstan team came out on top.
Looking to the Future
The match was only the first step towards long-term, productive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the League and Borussia.
Potential areas of future partnership include knowledge exchange, friendly tournaments, scouting initiatives, internships in Germany for players and coaches from League clubs, as well as the participation of Borussia specialists in educational seminars organized by the sports analytics department. The possibility of holding another friendly match, this time in Germany, is also under consideration.
The players and coaches will now return to their clubs, with Freedom QJ League action resuming next week.
The organization of QJ League All Star 2026 was actively supported by the League’s General Partner Freedom Holding, Premium Partner Changan Kazakhstan, part of the Astana Motors group of companies, as well as the Kazakhstan Football Federation, Mastercard, SCAT Airlines, JAKO, COPA.KZ and UNICEF.
