We look back at the fourth round of Freedom QJ League B.
Atyrau’s comeback
The Oilmen claimed their second win of the season, beating Okzhetpes. However, these three points did not come easily.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring in Atyrau: in the 10th minute, Okzhetpes earned a penalty, which Bekdar Sailauov converted. Late in the first half, Okzhetpes doubled their lead as Arsen Arapov scored from Abilmansur Khamit’s assist.
After the break, however, the Kokshetau side ran into serious trouble: in the 51st minute, Pyotr Popadyuk was shown a red card.
Soon after that, Atyrau began their comeback at pace. At the moment of the sending-off, Okzhetpes were leading by two goals, but just 11 minutes later the advantage had shifted to the hosts — 3-2. Nursultan Zhomart, Nurbek Amangeldi and Albert Sidikhov all found the net. Yaroslav Bortnik provided two assists, allowing him to move top of the assists chart with three goal contributions after Matchweek 4.
Yeraly Kamysbai put the finishing touch on the match, scoring Atyrau’s fourth goal in the 79th minute. The situation in the standings has tightened up: four teams in the middle of the table now have six points each.
A painful defeat for Yelimay
The match in Semey produced a rather unexpected result. Yelimay and Zhetysu went a long time without goals before the hosts finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute through Anas Adylkhanov.
After that, many spectators felt Yelimay were heading for a narrow win, with relatively little time left to play. However, just a few minutes later, a mistake by Alexander Selinkin brought Zhetysu back into the game, and in stoppage time defender Tamerlan Kairatdin scored a spectacular free-kick to earn his team the win.
Jaiyq beat a direct rival
In Uralsk, the meeting between two championship leaders — Jaiyq and Zhenis — ended in victory for the hosts. Damir Zalmukanov and Supyan Khasanov each scored once against the capital club, who were unable to respond.
There is now only one team left in the standings that has yet to drop points. Meanwhile, after Khan-Tengri’s victory, Zhenis slipped to third place.
It is worth noting that the Astana side still have one of the most efficient defensive lines in the league: the two goals scored by Jaiyq were Zhenis’ first conceded goals of the season.
Khan-Tengri thrash Qyzyljar
As for the Almaty side, they had no problems in this round: their home match against Qyzyljar ended in a 6-0 win. Rauan Sarsenbek scored a brace, Zhumabek Zhanadi recorded 1+1 in goals and assists, while Timur Deshko and Adilzhan Kairat added one goal each.
Khan-Tengri have now won three matches in a row. The only team to have beaten the Almaty side remains Jaiyq.
Five goals in Shymkent
The match between Ontustik and Altai turned out to be an eventful one.
In the 10th minute, Ontustik midfielder Alzair Rais opened the scoring, and the rest of the first half was played with the hosts holding a narrow lead. Early in the second half, however, Daulet Dautbayev managed to equalize.
The score remained 1-1 until the 74th minute, when Ontustik were awarded a penalty and Rauan Dzhurumbetov made no mistake from the spot.
To the delight of the spectators, two more goals came in stoppage time. First, Arda Mukhtarov extended the southerners’ lead, before Vladislav Gordiychuk, assisted by Daulet Dautbayev, reduced the deficit again. The final score was 3-2 in favour of Ontustik.
As a result, Altai remain the only team with zero points. Pavel Evteev’s side extended their losing streak to four matches.
Top scorer after Matchweek 4: Timur Deshko, Khan-Tengri — 4 goals.
Top assister after Matchweek 4: Yaroslav Bortnik, Atyrau — 3 assists.
