The fourth season of the flagship Freedom QJ League tournament is gaining momentum – three matchweeks are already behind us.
Three players have already scored more than 30 points in the fantasy tournament. While the high output of Kairat midfielder and “joker” Abylay Toleukhan was expected, seeing two defenders among the leaders has surely surprised many.
Nevertheless, it’s a fact: Kairat’s Alikhan Abdi tops the list of the most efficient Fantasy QJ League players with 36 points, while Zhanibek Zhailaubek from Shakhter sits just behind Toleukhan (35) with 32 points. Let’s take a closer look at these young defenders who have made a strong start to the season.
Alikhan Abdi – a 16-year-old talent
Abdi leads the rankings despite his young age for the flagship tournament – he was born in 2010 and turned 16 in February. Last season, he already played at a higher level in the U-17 team, recording 18 matches, 4 goals, and winning the championship title.
This year, the defender has stepped up to the next level with his teammates. The first three matchweeks have been extremely successful for Kairat: dominant wins over Irtysh, Astana, and Aktobe without conceding a single goal.
In Matchweeks 1 and 2, including Abdi in a Fantasy QJ League lineup brought managers 9 points each time – thanks to an assist against Irtysh, clean sheets, ball recoveries, and consistent playing time.
However, his standout performance came against Aktobe. Abdi played a key role in the big win, not only with solid defensive work but also by scoring a brace. As a result, he earned 18 points in a single matchweek.
Notably, Abdi is not among the most expensive defenders in Fantasy QJ League. He can be added to your squad for 6.5 Freedom-Coins, which is 0.5 below the maximum price for his position.
Zhanibek Zhailaubek – the footballer-mathematician
Shakhter defender Zhanibek Zhailaubek was priced at 6 Freedom-Coins at the start of the season, but that didn’t stop him from outperforming the vast majority of his competitors after three matchweeks.
Last season, Zhailaubek played 18 matches in the U-17 tournament, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists – a significant contribution to Shakhter’s bronze medals.
This season, he has already recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in the first three matchweeks of the flagship tournament, along with plenty of minutes played and ball recoveries, which keep him high in the fantasy rankings.
It’s also worth noting that Zhailaubek, who is finishing 11th grade this year, has another passion – mathematics.
“These are two completely different yet equally exciting worlds. Football for me is not just a sport, but a true passion, a way to express myself, and an opportunity to feel the thrill of victory and the joy of teamwork. Mathematics, on the other hand, develops logical thinking and teaches you to analyze and find unconventional solutions. I believe both passions will be useful for me in the future,” he said ahead of his league debut.
Zhailaubek is determined to achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer – and his hard work and persistence are already paying off.
As last year, the best lineup of each matchweek will be rewarded with a 20,000 KZT certificate from the League’s partner COPA.KZ. The overall winner of the season will receive an iPhone 17, while second and third place will be awarded a PlayStation 5 and an Apple Watch, respectively.
Fantasy QJ League also has its own Telegram chat — with over 250 participants ready to help newcomers. Join in and become part of a long and exciting season!
Fantasy QJ League: build your optimal lineup before it’s too late!
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