Chernomorets among the leaders, Kairat as well: how Matchweek 2 of the Freedom QJ League unfolded

Two quick goals from Shakhter

Shakhter Karaganda effectively decided the game against Irtysh in the first half. Nuraly Azatkazy opened the scoring in the 8th minute, and Rustam Sayfimilyukov doubled the lead just five minutes later.

The tempo then slowed down. There were no more goals from open play, but in stoppage time Irtysh forward Gapur Merzhoyev converted a penalty. The match in Pavlodar ended 2–1 in favor of Shakhter.

After a heavy loss to Kairat in Matchweek 1, Irtysh remain at the bottom of the table, while Shakhter move into the top three with two wins in a row.

Chernomorets leads Kairat to victory

Kairat secured a convincing 4–0 away win over Astana.

Fifteen-year-old Roman Chernomorets was involved in three of the four goals, scoring a brace and providing an assist for Daulet Orynbassar. Alfir Khanafi added another goal.

After also scoring twice against Irtysh in the previous week, Chernomorets now leads the scoring charts with four goals in two matches and tops the goal contribution ranking (4+1). Last season, he was the top scorer of the U-17 tournament — can he repeat that success at a higher level?

Tobyl bounce back at home

Following their defeat at Kaisar Arena, Tobyl responded with a home win over Ordabasy in Kostanay.

Oleg Lotov’s side took the lead in the 19th minute through a penalty converted by Ruslan Jetenov. The visitors failed to equalize, and in the dying moments Nabi Talasbek doubled the lead after an assist from Ilyas Bagitzhan.

Mussayev delivers for Aktobe

After losing to Ordabasy in the opening week, Aktobe bounced back with a win.

Azamat Mussayev made the difference, scoring twice. The midfielder, who usually plays for the club’s reserve side, stepped up when it mattered. Caspiy replied only once through Alikhan Zhumabay.

It marks Caspiy’s second consecutive 1–2 defeat.

Six-goal thriller at Zhas Kyran Stadium

The match between Zhas Kyran and Taraz in Almaty turned into a high-scoring affair, ending 4–2.

The hosts went into halftime with a two-goal lead thanks to Alan Lukanin and Nader Movafi Mahmud.

Early in the second half, Taraz pulled one back from the penalty spot through Mukhammet Shukuraliyev. However, Lukanin completed his brace soon after, and Sergey Sharunov extended the lead. The final goal came from Taraz midfielder Rassul Nurmanbay.

As a result, Zhas Kyran join Kairat and Shakhter in the top three after Matchweek 2, while Taraz, Caspiy, and Irtysh sit at the bottom of the table.

The match between the KFF Academy and Kaisar has been postponed to May 30 due to the Academy players’ participation in the upcoming international “Development Cup” in Shymkent.