Matchweek 21 of League A has come to an end. We recap the action from the League's flagship competition.
With one round remaining, all three medal positions have been decided: Ordabasy have joined champions Kairat and runners-up Shakhter on the podium. The battle for fifth place and the positions at the bottom of the table, however, remains open.
Abduali Ends Shakhter's Perfect Home Record
Kairat passed their biggest test of the season's closing stages with confidence, defeating Shakhter 4-1 in Karaganda. Before this match, the Miners had won all ten of their home fixtures this season.
All four goals for the Yellow and Blacks came from Sultanali Abduali. The forward opened the scoring in the 10th minute before adding three more after the break, striking in the 64th, 75th and 82nd minutes. The hosts managed only a consolation goal in the 90th minute through Damir Yussupbekov.
Abduali now has 13 goals, level with his teammate Roman Chernomorets and Shakhter's Rasul Akimov. The three players share third place in the scoring charts. Remarkably, Sultanali has played the fewest minutes of anyone in the top five – just 940.
For Shakhter, this was their first defeat in 11 matchweeks. Both of their losses this season have come against Kairat, who also won the reverse fixture in Almaty 3-1.
With 59 points, Kairat have already surpassed their championship-winning total from last season (58). The Almaty side will host Taraz in the final round. If they avoid defeat, they will finish the campaign unbeaten for the third consecutive season.
Ordabasy Secure Bronze Medals with a Round to Spare
The Shymkent side guaranteed themselves third place with a commanding 5-0 victory over Irtysh in Pavlodar. It was Ordabasy's biggest win of the season.
The outcome was effectively decided in the first half. Arda Akzhan opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Dilshod Nazimbekov doubled the lead in the 34th, finding the net for the second consecutive matchweek. Shortly before half-time, an own goal by Bekzhan Muratbek extended the visitors' advantage.
After the break, Adilbek Turdakh converted a penalty, while substitute Diar Berikbay scored his first goal of the season in the 89th minute.
Turdakh now has 15 goals, the second-highest tally in the competition behind Daulet Orynbasar (20).
The victory ended Ordabasy's three-match winless run and mathematically secured the bronze medals for Auelbek Derbisbayev's side. The Shymkent team have 37 points, while Tobyl can reach a maximum of 36. Just a year ago, Ordabasy finished the season in sixth place.
Irtysh suffered their second consecutive defeat and remain bottom of the table with 15 points.
Tobyl Secure Fourth Place
Tobyl claimed a 2-0 home victory over Zhas Kyran in Kostanay. Nazar Zakharchenko opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before setting up team captain Ruslan Dzhetenov for the second goal in the 81st. Goalkeeper Daniil Nurzhanov kept a clean sheet.
Dzhetenov has now scored in two consecutive matchweeks. A week earlier, his stoppage-time equaliser had earned Tobyl a draw against Aktobe. Both Ruslan and Nazar now have five goals this season.
Tobyl are unbeaten in six matches, with four victories in their last five outings. A major factor behind Oleg Lotov's side's success has been their defensive record: 22 goals conceded, the third-best figure in the league behind Kairat (9) and Shakhter (18).
Although the Kostanay side can no longer catch Ordabasy, they have secured fourth place with a round to spare. Aktobe are now four points behind.
Zhas Kyran suffered their first defeat in eight matchweeks and remain sixth with 28 points.
Crossbar Denies Aktobe Victory
In Aktobe, the hosts fell behind to KFF Academy in the 33rd minute when the visitors' leading scorer, Radmir Khizmetov, netted his seventh goal of the campaign. Alimzhan Tazhenov restored parity in the 62nd minute.
The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Aktobe were awarded a penalty, but captain Akbar Sadenov struck the crossbar. The match ended 1-1, meaning both meetings between the sides this season finished level. Their first encounter had ended 2-2.
It was Aktobe's third consecutive draw, extending their unbeaten run to six matches. The Red and Whites remain fifth with 29 points and will retain that position regardless of other results if they defeat Kaisar in the final round. Their closest challengers are Zhas Kyran (28) and KFF Academy (27).
Astana and Kaisar Share the Points Again
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in the capital.
Amandyk Khamidullin gave the hosts the lead in the 37th minute, but the visitors struck on either side of half-time. Zhalgas Sailaubek equalised in the 42nd minute before Wolves captain Nurym Talgat put Kaisar ahead in the 47th. Astana forward Arsen Ispanov then made it 2-2 in the 59th minute.
The reverse fixture in Kyzylorda had also ended in a draw, with the teams sharing the points in a 1-1 stalemate.
Astana are now winless in 12 consecutive matches, although they are guaranteed to avoid finishing bottom. The capital side have 17 points, while Caspiy (16) and Irtysh (15) will face each other in the final round.
Astana will be without their leading scorer Arsen Ispanov (6 goals) for their upcoming match against Ordabasy after the forward received his fourth yellow card.
Kaisar are unbeaten in three matches and sit eighth with 22 points.
Caspiy Rescue Another Point in the 89th Minute
For most of the match in Taraz, the hosts appeared to be heading for victory. Their leading scorer Rasul Nurmanbai, who now has ten goals this season, opened the scoring in the 30th minute before Bilyal Sadykov doubled the advantage in the 71st.
However, Caspiy produced a dramatic late comeback. Rakhat Dzhiyenbayev pulled one back in the 87th minute before setting up Shakhmardan Demesin for the equaliser in the 89th, sealing a 2-2 draw.
Both teams have now recorded back-to-back 2-2 draws. In the previous round, Taraz shared the points with Ordabasy, while Caspiy drew with Shakhter. Remarkably, the Aktau side had also equalised in the 89th minute of that match.
Taraz are now winless in six matchweeks and sit ninth with 21 points, one behind Kaisar. Caspiy occupy 11th place with 16 points.
The biggest remaining battle at the bottom of the table will be decided in Aktau, where Caspiy host Irtysh in the final round. The visitors must win to climb off the bottom, while a draw will be enough for the hosts to stay above them. Irtysh will also be without forward Yaroslav Kolesnik, who received his fourth yellow card.
Top scorer after Matchweek 21: Daulet Orynbasar (Kairat, 20 goals).
Top assist provider after Matchweek 21: Ayan Amanzhulov (Aktobe, 9 assists).
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